Cricket Aid programme on course

Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) 200 houses Cricket Aid program, spearheaded by the indefatigable Thilanga Sumathipala, is well on course to complete its project within the set time-limit. Sumathipala is so confident about the current progress, he predicts that, by August 1, they will complete the housing projects in the four specified areas and have the cricket villages up and running.

Although at the moment the project is experiencing some difficulties in acquiring proper land in the Western and Southern provinces, Sumathipala is confident that everything will be completed by the end of July. SLC Cricket aid has already secured land in Killinochi and Pottuvil and by March 1, people will be contracted to start building houses for the cricket villages.

"We are within schedule," said Sumathipala. "I am happy about the outcome of cricket aid, especially from the cricketers, sponsors, administrators and the response we have received from various other parts of the world." He was speaking at the Galle Cricket Stadium, where SLC commenced another of its Cricket Aid programs in trying to identify 1000 kids who have lost their parents and provide them with foster parents.

Sumathipala added that funds for Cricket Aid had already started flowing in with US$200,000 coming from the three cricket matches played in New Zealand and A$500,000 from the match played in Melbourne. "With a match to be played in England on June 20, he said he hoped to improve the total figures hopefully to A$2million. The choice of people who will occupy these houses will be on the recommendations of the Government Agents of the respective areas.

"Just because we are maintaining a camp in Matara all those people may not qualify for houses in the Southern village," said Sumathipala. "We will liaise with the district GA's, screen them and take them in. We will be looking initially at families who have lost their breadwinner. First priority will go to them. We don't have the mechanism to screen all the people and decide who should get houses. That is why we have left that decision to the respective GA's

"Cricket aid has got a much focused program. We have no issues with anyone. We have put our program and we know what we are doing. If the donor agencies are willing to support the community this is the time for them to come forward. All differences should be set aside.

"This is a challenge," added Sumathipala. "You get closer to the heart of the people. When you see a smile in their face after you help it gives you such a big satisfaction. Most of the camps don't have basic facilities like toilets, water, a TV set etc. But the camp run by SLC at Matara has everything. We have given the affected people their basics and hope. They have been given a schedule for their meals and they have not missed a single meal so far."