Rudra de Zoysa. MNZM.

Dear Sri Lankans and friends of Sri Lanka,

As you are aware Sri Lanka is currently going through the worst economic crisis since our Independence. For our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka this situation has transformed itself into an endless sequence of hardship – lack of basic food essentials, vital medicines, life supporting medical equipment and many other basic rudiments of life.

This letter is not to debate or analyse how and why our motherland is experiencing these hardships. This letter is about helping our motherland NOW and providing a short-term solution to alleviate the hardship.

I am writing this message primarily to inspire and encourage you to make a contribution of money to a creative scheme made possible by the United Sri Lanka Association (USLA). 

USLA will establish a mechanism to collect hard currency in New Zealand and transfer those funds to agencies in Sri Lanka that procure medicines and vital medical equipment. The convertible currency will be credited via official banking institutions. The mechanism created by USLA will be completely transparent and accountable. 

Our mother (Sri Lanka) and brothers and sisters living in Sri Lanka are in a toxic environment. NOW is the time for all Sri Lankans living in New Zealand and other foreign countries to come to the help of our motherland. Our mother (Sri Lanka) parented and nourished us with mother’s milk when we were helpless infants. Now is the time to show our gratitude and repay (in an infinitely small part only) the vast debt that we owe to our motherland. There is a moving, emotional and heartrending Sinhala poem that asks us the question whether our mothers measured the amount of milk she suckled us when we were breast feeding. Sri Lanka needs us. Now is the time to help our mother (Sri Lanka).

I am proud to be one of the founder members of the United Sri Lanka Association in 1983. At that time there was an ominous terrorist force. Desperate dogfights” had to be wrestled with the enemy to preserve the territorial integrity of our motherland – and yes, USLA helped out in many, many ways. In the current situation also, I urgently implore and recommend readers of this message to help USLA support our motherland in whatever appropriate technique. I entreat you to give financial assistance (or in other positive ways) to our motherland.

I live in Australia now but have unhesitatingly, without trepidation, made a contribution to the scheme set up by USLA.

Thank you for appraising my entreaty.

Rudra de Zoysa. MNZM.