Sri Lankans on Saipan mobilize to help countrymen

Only about 60 Sri Lankans reside on Saipan but that will not stop them from mobilizing relief efforts for their home island—reportedly the hardest hit by Sunday’s killer tsunamis.

When the news broke out, they gathered and helped one another determine if their members had families affected by the earthquake and accompanying tsunamis.

Rajiv, who has been on Saipan for seven years now, said he has already received several calls from people asking him where they can drop donations. However, he would rather have these people forward these donations to the right agency: the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D. C. Rajiv was told by the embassy that those interested in donating money for relief efforts in Sri Lanka should call its 24-hour hotline number, 202-352-0355.

Rajiv said the embassy has already launched the Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund and all contributions should be made in cash, check or wire transfer under the name “Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund.” He was also told by the embassy that the relief fund is not tax deductible.

He said that donations could also be made to branches of Wachovia Bank with account number 2000024529976. Special bank accounts have also been opened by the Sri Lanka President’s Office.

Donations can be wired to Central Bank of Sri Lanka with account number 46060, and the People’s Bank – Headquarters Branch with account number 204100190136245.

Rajiv works in a local government unit here on Saipan, while his wife and child are in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. He said his heart broke when he received a call from his wife telling him the bad news the afternoon following the disaster. He immediately asked about his seven-year-old son, who was OK. He learned later that his parents and his sister were also fine.

“I was shocked. I feel terrible, we had experiences like typhoon, but nothing like this,” he said. “When I see bodies of children…I’m not very comfortable. Mostly poor people were affected. I feel terrible, especially when I see lifeless kids being held by their parents. It’s not easy,” said Rajiv.

In a related story, the Saipan Thai community held another meeting last night with regards to their plan of helping their fellow Thais in Phuket, Thailand.

They said they began sending out letters for assistance yesterday to Saipan companies where Thai nationals work. They have also added some contact details where the public can also forward their donations whether cash or in kind.

Donors can contact the following: Bonsong Srisomkseo at 888-7785; Tomgciba Chamnilok at 235-7888 loc. 173; Banatorn Sawadd at 235-7888 loc 127; Lampung Wangksoo Klang at 235-3787; and Wari Bracken at 235-8603.

Donations can also be dropped at the Thai Food Store located along San Antonio opposite the Division of Immigration. (Marconi Calindas)