WFB for Humanitarian Assistance

Several Buddhist organizations in Sri Lanka led by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress have appealed to both the Public and Government of Sri Lanka to give humanitarian assistance by way of cash and goods to the flood affected people of Thailand in their hour of need.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A joint statement issued by six Buddhist organizations has urged the People and Government of Sri Lanka to rise to the occasion as several other countries have done in going to the assistance of Thailand.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The full statement reads as follows:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The people of Thailand are going through a severe crisis as a result of heavy floods, the likes of which have not been seen for decades. Over 500 people have died and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and made homeless. The flood situation remains unabated and there are fears that Central Bangkok may also become affected shortly.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The World Fellowship of Buddhists based in Bangkok, founded by Prof. Gunapala Malalsekera in 1950, has made several appeals for assistance from Buddhists and othersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the world over.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka and Thailand enjoy close relations, cemented by the adoption of a common faith, Theravada Buddhism, and have significant historical links.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In this hour of need it is our duty to give assistance to the people of Thailand in whatever way we can. We have been the recipient of large scale assistance from foreign donors when we were faced with similar situations in the past such as the Tsunami in 2004. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Several other countries have risen to the occasion and gone to the help of Thailand.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddhist Temples in neighbouring countries of Thailand have become collection centres for donations in both money and goods.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

We appeal to both the Public and the Government of Sri Lanka to give humanitarian assistance by way of cash and goods to the people of Thailand.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Such assistance may be channeled through the World Fellowship of Buddhists as follows:

BeneficiaryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s name:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  WFB for Humanitarian Assistance, Account No: 003-2-30263-9; Bank: Kasikorn Bank Public Company Limited, Attention: Kasikorn Bank Sukhumvit 33 (Bangkapi); Bank Address: 1 Thai Farmers Lane, Ratburana Road, Bangkok 10140, Thailand, Swift Code: KASTTHBK.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Joint Statement has been signed by officials of the following Buddhist organizations:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 1) Mr. Jagath Sumathipala, President, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress

2) Dr. (Mrs.) Malini Dias, President, World Fellowship of Buddhists, Sri Lanka Centre

3) Mr. Senaka Weeraratna, Hony. Secretary, German Dharmaduta Society

4) Dr. L. Weerasinghe, President, SUCCESS Sri Lanka

5) Mr. Olcott Gunasekera, President, Dharmavijaya Foundation

6) Dr. Hema Goonatilake, Hony. Secretary, Red Lotus Buddhist Humanitarian Organisation