On December 26th, 2004, a series of devastating tidal waves struck the coastal areas of Southeast Asia following a 9.0 earthquake off Sumatra. People around the world watched in horror as video footage showed a 30-foot wall of water surging over beaches, homes, roads, and businesses. When the water finally receded, and the massive clean-up efforts began, the number of fatalities was discovered to be well over 120,000.

Almost immediately, citizens of the world united to help speed financial aid to the tidal-wave ravaged areas. Rev. Sujatha Peradeniye and members of the Blue Buddhist Lotus Temple were among them. In a number of interviews in local newspapers and television news stories, Sujatha put the word out that he was raising money to help the victims in his native homeland of Sri Lanka. Donations began flooding in, and Sujatha set up a special relief fund he planned to take back to Sri Lanka himself when he returned on a mission of mercy to help the people of his homeland later that month.

Then on January 14th, members of the Blue Lotus Temple and Congregational Unitarian Church in Woodstock hosted a Tsunami Disaster Relief Concert featuring various local musicians who had donated their time and talents for the event. Over $10,000 was raised that evening to help the tsunami victims.

In tandem with Ven. Sujatha's fund-raising efforts, a total of over $40,000 was raised to help the tsunami victims. On January 20th, Sujatha departed for Sri Lanka and spent three weeks touring the disaster areas. He and his brother monks from their monastery in Kandy spent their days talking to the victims and listening to their stories. In the evenings, the monks slept in the relief shelters along with the victims in an effort to provide compassion and moral support for those people who had suffered through so much.

In a front-page cover story published in the Northwest Herald on 1/28, Sujatha and brother monk Ven Chandasiri Thumbage are shown counseling a young Sri Lankan boy who was a victim of the tsunami. Sujatha is quoted as saying, "Don't think you are alone. We are here with you," and praying for the boy.

Proceeds from the fund-raising efforts were used to help construct 25 new homes for the tidal wave victims. Funds were also used to purchase school uniforms and school supplies for children who had lost their parents in the disaster. (Visit web our site www.subodha.org)

Currently, Sujatha is seeking people to help sponsor these children in Sri Lanka and to assist in covering their education needs. A contribution of $15 per month will help ensure these children receive adequate educational, medical, nutritional, and social opportunities. This is accomplished through providing good food, academic scholarships, access to medical services, and social support groups.

Please help the Following Tsunami Victims

NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
H. A. AJANTHA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	J. B. CHAMALI UMESHIKA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	W. B. CHAMILA DILANTHI ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE
	NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
GEORGE DICKSON ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	P. M. IROSHAN ASANTHA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	M. JAYANTHA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE	NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
JOHN DHARANIKA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	ROSHAN MADUSHANKA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	A. H. MILAN ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE
	NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
S. H. NIMALI SANJEEWANI ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	D. V. MADUSHANKA PADMASIRI ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	ROSHAN JAYALATH ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE
SHASHINI LAKSHANI WADUGE ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE	W. UDAYA PRIYANTHA KUMARA ULLA, POTHUVIL EASTERN PROVINCE