Sri Lanka Cricket set up disaster relief fund

Sri Lanka Cricket has launched a relief fund called Cricket-Aid to help victims of the Asian tsunami disaster on the island. The fund will focus on providing immediate emergency relief at the start - managing four camps for displaced victims - and then helping to construct permanent housing for 200 families and orphans.

"The holocaust of the tsunami has killed past cricketers, upcoming cricketers, officials, friends and supporters of Sri Lanka Cricket," board president Mohan de Silva said at an official launch broadcast live on national television. "Cricket has thrived because of its large following and the board unanimously agreed that we should come forward and provide support in this hour of need."

The disaster fund is being headed by former cricket board president Thilanga Sumaithapala and is being supported by cricketers at various levels, their families and board officials on a voluntary capacity. The plan is to raise US$2 million at the outset through charity cricket events, general corporate fundraising and the sale of memorabilia and merchandise.

Sri Lanka Cricket have already set-up relief camps in Matara, Dambulla and Badulla. Another camp has been earmarked for Galle if a suitable space can be identified. Victims will be given food, clean water, shelter and have access to health care and counselling. The camps will be largely staffed by volunteers and run in association with the government. The board hopes to house at least 1000 victims at the outset.

The long-term goal, though, is to provide permanent high-quality housing for at least 200 families who lost their homes in the disaster. Four `Cricket Villages' - as they have been coined by the cricket board - have been earmarked for Killinochi in the north-east and Ampara in the east, both areas that were particularly badly hit, as well as Matara in the deep south and Kalutara on the west coast.

Each village will include 50 individual two-bedroom homes with access to clean water, a proper sewage system, electricity, schools and various other community facilities. Each house is expected to cost US$5000 to build and the board aims to have the first settlements ready in eight months. The government is helping to identify suitable land.

"Many of those that lost their lives were ardent lovers of cricket, who cheered us and stood by us throughout the years," said Sri Lanka's captain Marvan Atapattu. "It is our solemn duty to return the gesture by assisting them in their time of dire need." And he appealed to potential donors: "Please be generous in your contributions to our effort".

So far seven current cricketers playing in board-organised tournaments have been confirmed dead, while numerous have lost friends and family members. Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Zoysa all had family members caught up in the disaster. Muttiah Muralitharan had a narrow escape, coming within minutes of being caught up in the giant waves.