Sri Lankan expatriates in Saudi Arabia launched a fund to assist the tsunami orphans in the island, writes Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 110107 at http://www.dailynews.lk/.
Forwarded by Budhi Mulyawan 110107.

The fund was launched at the commemorative meeting held in Riyadh in remembrance of the tsunami victims of Sri Lanka. The function organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in cooperation with the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) Riyadh, observed two-minutes silence as a mark of respect to those who died in the natural disaster.

"A total of Rs. 100,000 was collected on the first day of the launch and we hope to reach a target of Rs. 1 million in the coming weeks, "SLES President Saravanaraj Nadarajah told the Daily News adding that the problems of the tsunami victims still linger even two years after the incident. Therefore, he said, the SLES has planned to help those victims who are still in need of public assistance.

W.S.M.S. Wijesundera, Charge d'Affaires of the Sri Lankan Embassy delivered the opening address calling for assistance to help the victims.

Saifudeen Thassim, Assistant General Manager of Samba Financial Group made the maiden donation of Rs. 28,000, which was followed by an equal amount of contributions from Cellacuddy Murugadas Accountant Absal Group of Companies, Arunagirinathan Chief Accountant Kanoo Travels, Fawzan Fareed Sales Manager SriLankan Airlines and Niron Fernando Accountant Supreme Foods.

Thassim said that SLES remitted Rs. 15 million in cash and despatched 10 container loads of relief materials to tsunami victims following the disaster.

"The Sri Lankan expatriates in the Kingdom are too, willing to help their distressed fellow beings in times of calamities," he said, pointing out that the funds collected on this occasion will be diverted to the educational needs of the tsunami orphans who have lost single or both the parents.

In Jeddah, Consul General Masihudeen Inamullah held a ceremony at the consulate premises to mark the commemoration of the tsunami day.

In Kuwait, the commemoration took place at the embassy premises under the chairmanship of Ambassador, S.A.C.M. Zuhyle. Officials and employees of the mission and their families, Sri Lankan societies and members of the Sri Lankan community too, part in the event.

The solemn occasion, started with the lighting of candles followed by the observing of two minutes silence in memory of those who lost their lives due to the tsunami. Religious dignitaries namely Daniel Gamage, Reverend Father Chaminda, A. Rajah and Abdul Rahuman conducted prayers representing Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu and Islamic faiths respectively.

Zuhyle thanked the Government of Kuwait particulary the Red Crescent and the expatriate community for their assistance offered following the tragedy.

In Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Nabavi Junaid thanked the international community for its timely assistance soon after the calamity. "If it were not for their assistance, we would not have raised our head," he stressed, Members of the Sri Lankan community in the United Arab Emirates took part in the religious ceremony organized by the Lankan mission in the UAE capital.

Ambassador S.B. Atugoda lowered the island's national flag to half mast in Doha as a mark of respect to those who died in the tsunami waves. Religious dignitaries from all faiths invoked blessings to bless the country in its march towards national development.

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