Appeal from the Archbishop of Colombo

"My Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Greetings in the Lord from Sri Lanka!

I am sure you heard of the terrible tragedy that befell us with a tidal wave
on Sunday 26th December morning, while some of our people were still
attending church services.

The death toll has now exceeded 22,000 and is expected to rise to 30,000 in
the least. The tragedy is simply beyond our comprehension and it was all a
matter of less than half an hour when the wave dashed and receded. The
coastal belt of the whole Island is affected, with the southern end of the
Archdiocese of Colombo, being among the worst. The loss of property can
hardly be estimated. One nun was killed in the diocese of Galle and two of
our priests in the Archdiocese fortunately escaped death. Nearly ten of our
churches . . are completely devastated

At the moment we are compelled to harbour over 150,000 refugees in our
churches. A large number of our Catholics are also harboured in Buddhist
temples as much as we have persons of other faiths in ours. Our urgent need
is food, milk food for children., medicine, bedding and temporary shelter
(tents) to have them back in their original land sites. Eventually, we will
need a lot of housing material and money to put up houses for them as at the
moment they are penniless. It is tragic to think that those who have escaped
are just left with only themselves and the clothes they were wearing at the
moment of the tragedy. Even where the houses have been spared there is
nothing left in them. All that has been carried away into the sea or
destroyed and they have to begin from scratch.

In the circumstances may I appeal to you, for whatever possible help. We
would deeply appreciate every little contribution in this moment of crisis.
We have opened up a fund for the purpose under the designation and details
given below. [Ed. note: see also the archbishop's website:
http://www.archdioceseofcolombo.com/]

"Archbishop's Tidal Wave Relief Fund"; Banca: Hatton National Bank Ltd.
(HNB); address: Hatton National Bank Ltd. Head Office Branch; account
number: 0030595467; Switch Code: HBLILKLX

We are very grateful to you for the concern and solidarity with us in our
moment of grief and helplessness. Permit me to thank you on behalf of our
people as they look forward to your for your generosity. With our prayers
and best wishes for the New Year.

Yours sincerely in Christ,
Oswald Gomis
Archbishop of Colombo