sponsorship

SPUR -Victoria presented a stock of 400 T shirts to the Commando Battalion

SPUR -Victoria presented a stock of 400 T shirts to the Commando Battalion performing its duty in freeing the Tamil civilians forcibly kept by the LTTE. Presentation was made through Mrs S .Rajapakse. at Temple Trees . In the picture Maj Gen Jayantha Perera, well known social worker Mr Sathischandra Edirisinghe and Mr K-Jayasuriya are seen at the presentation.

AN URGENT APPEAL TO ALL PATRIOTS - “ Now or Never”

Dear patriots!

You may be aware that our security forces are on the brink of victory against the insurgency of the ruthless Tamil Tiger terrorists who have systematically destroyed tens of thousands of valuable human lives in their quest for a mythical Tamil homeland and maimed for life, thousands of other innocents .Within a span of thirty five years, they have brought about economic ruin to a once peaceful country that had the potential to become a role model for other Asian countries to emulate.

Sadly the victories of the security forces have come at a price. Thousands of them have paid with their dear lives while thousands more have suffered serious injuries. At this very moment our soldier’s brave hazardous weather conditions and undergo all manner of grevious hardships in their push towards the final goal. Consequently we have received urgent appeals from brigade commanders for the supply of certain items which are desperately needed by the soldiers at this moment in time.

Heeding their call SPUR (Melbourne) managed to purchase a stock of cans of foot spray at cost price for $ 1590. Immediate arrangements have been made to airlift and ensure express delivery of these. Considering the soggy terrain and severe unforgiving monsoon weather conditions, there is the likelihood of still other items being needed in the near future. In preparation for every eventuality SPUR has decided to establish a contingency fund and takes this opportunity to appeal to all patriots to donate maximum amounts you could possibly afford in this hour of need. Contributions will remain in our account and be periodically utilized to purchase and dispatch items no sooner lists are received. You may deposit your contribution to SPUR ac. 013 437 1077 408 26 at any ANZ branch and either inform us by phone or email or post the deposit slip. Alternatively you may hand over your contribution to one of one of our committee members who will acknowledge same.

Please exercise the courage and determination to either cancel or postpone all manner of personal celebrations during this festive season and instead, assist our heroes to win our motherland for future generations to live in peace and harmony. Please encourage your children, friends and their families to do likewise.

We are certain that you will support our valiant security forces and all those who are involved in protecting the lives of people from a brutal and fascist organisation at this crucial and decisive moment of our history.

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While the main objective for SPUR is countering the propaganda machine of the LTTE and the separatist lobby overseas and at home, we also engage in various welfare activities.

Tsunami Reconstruction work:

On the 16th of July 2008 a library building was opened in Madihe as a part of the tsunami reconstruction programme. Six months prior to this, 26 houses were built in this village coordinated by Dharma Vijaya Foundation, with funds donated by Lanka Disaster Relief Fund - Melbourne, consisting of SPUR together with organisations such as the Sinhala Cultural and Welfare foundation, the German Technical College OBA, The Lions Club of Dandenong and many of the Past Pupils’ associations. The library building was funded through the interest earned from the funds received by DVF from the Lanka Disaster Relief Fund - Melbourne and other donors.

As part of our assistance for tsunami reconstruction work, SPUR assisted Siri Liya Saviya - an association under the patronage of Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse - in the construction of a school in Seenimodera, destroyed by the 2004 Tsunami. The new construction is larger than the original building where 5 classes can be held. The opening of the new school was ceremonially held on the 8th of July 2008.

Assistance to School Children

For many years SPUR has been providing exercise books to be distributed among the children of poor rural schools or those living in threatened villages or affected by terrorist activities. This programme is carried out with Mr. Sathischandra Edirisinghe who coordinates the clearing and distribution of these books to schools. At the beginning of each year people from the Sri Lankan community purchase exercise books to be shipped to Sri Lanka. SPUR coordinates this work and meets the freight charges.

Recently SPUR helped in the distribution of 103 computers to rural schools in Sri Lanka coordinated by the Dharmavijaya Foundation. The computers were handed over to the Principals of the schools at a ceremony held on 26 June 2008 at which the current Treasurer of SPUR - Durga Alwis and the inaugural Treasurer, Jayantha Alwis were present.

Children in the village of Gomarankadawala, in the Trincomalee district, used to walk great distances every day to get to the schools they attended. In conjunction with two Sri Lankan organisations: Thavalama and Success, SPUR provided 35 bicycles to these children at a total cost of $1,000/-.

In the Trincomalee District in the village of Welgam Vehera, SPUR meets the cost of the pre-school teacher's salary in order to ensure that the children do not miss out by the school having to close down due to a lack of a teacher. Recently SPUR part-financed a seminar on leadership and human resources development held at the temple for all Dhamma school children in the district.

Participating in a programme launched by the Manel Mal Movement, SPUR also presented 5 desks at a cost of Rs. 10,000 each to children of members of the Defence forces in a threatened village that lacked electricity. These were special desks which had two lights that worked through pedal power fitted to them. The power generated through pedalling not only provided electricity for studying, but also had enough supply to power one more light bulb to the house as well. This was an invention of a Sri Lankan and it was our intention to also encourage local innovators and inventors by purchasing their products.

SPUR provided funds to the tune of Rs. 400,000 to initiate the construction of an assembly hall/library hall at Madukanda temple, which will be of immense benefit to the villagers, especially the school children

Assistance for Income Generation

SPUR funded the purchase of machinery for a quarry in the village of Welgam Vehera providing a steady income to the villagers.

In an effort to ensure that farmers in Ampara have a sustainable livelihood apart from their main occupation of paddy and vegetable cultivation, SPUR has provided funds for a Bee keeping project. Each farmer is provided with a loan to set up the necessary infrastructure for Bee keeping. Currently four families are participating in this activiy. Once they begin to earn an income from this work, the loan will be returned to the central fund to enable others also to commence bee keeping. This activity is coordinated and monitored by Venerable Senapathiya Ananda and the Agricultural Department.

Assistance to Disabled Soldiers

We have assisted disabled soldiers by providing facilities to improve their houses to cater to their disabilities to enable them to achieve a certain amount of independence in spite of their disabilities and to give their care givers a certain amount of relief.

When soldiers are injured in battle and are rushed to hospital, they arrive without such items as tooth brushes, tooth paste, a sarong or singlet to change into, soap etc. It is not possible for hospitals to supply these items and the soldier generally has to wait until his family members arrive before he can get these necessary items. SPUR launched a project to distribute emergency packs containing these essential materials to be used in these circumstances. Again with the willing participation of the Sri Lankan community, we recently distributed 300 emergency packs to the Military hospital in Anuradhapura and Colombo and to the STF.

Assistance to Hospitals

SPUR recently assisted and co-ordinated the efforts of donors in Melbourne in purchasing and supply of a critically needed Pulse-Oxy meter to Colombo South Hospital.

In view of the important role of played by Anuradahpura Hospital in serving the poor, sick people in NCP and its services to the injured defence force personnel and the civilains , SPUR is planning to have a revolving fund to purchse and supply urgent medical supplies to the hospital. In the near future SPUR plans to provide good quality drinking water to the hospital staff as a gesture to thank them for their inestimable service to the sick and the injured.

While SPUR coordinates these welfare activities to help the people of our motherland, we would be unable to help people affected by terrorism and living in threatened villages without the willing participation of the Sri Lankan community in Melbourne who always come forward to contribute in whatever way they can. Your generosity is immense and we salute you.