An appeal by the Sri Lanka Deacons’ Court, with the support of the Home & Foreign Missions Committee, has been launched to raise funds to help following the recent cyclone.

Monsoon rains are a regular feature of life in Sri Lanka. Due to weather patterns in the Indian Ocean, the southwest of the island is impacted between May and September, while in the northeast (where most of our mission work is located) the worst rains are between October and January. Flooding and temporary inconvenience are expected during these monsoon seasons. However, at the beginning of December, Sri Lanka was hit by a devastating cyclone, named Ditwah, which brought high winds and increased rainfall to the whole country simultaneously. Flooding and landslides have overwhelmed basic infrastructure so that one third of the nation was without electricity or running water. In the hill country many homes were destroyed. With more than 600 deaths nationwide the government has declared a state of emergency.

Further heavy rains are anticipated in the mission district over the next two months, which will both hinder recovery and place further pressure upon the fragile infrastructure. Low-lying and poor-quality housing is particularly vulnerable, both to damage from high winds and pollution from flood waters, which overwhelms primitive sewerage systems and compromises drinking water in local wells.
 While there is much to be done by emergency services, many day labourers struggle to find paid work when farmland is underwater, and construction work must cease.

Current government advice is for households to remove to higher ground. This is not easy when many roads are impassable, when it means leaving home and livestock behind.

The church in Vavuniya is on a gentle hill, which protects it from flooding, but access to the main road is frequently cut off when rains wash mud and grit from the many dirt tracks into roadside drains. These dirt-track lanes, unsuitable for a car, are negotiable by foot or motorbike, allowing members of the congregation to find shelter at the mission when flooded out from their own homes.

The rains are worse, and flooding more extensive, further east in Puthukudiyiruppu (PTK) and north in Kilinochchi. Two families in PTK spend two days in the church building as it was unsafe to remain in their own homes after storm damage. One of these homes, the mission house, was struck by a falling tree that broke through the roof and damaged the well. It is impractical for families to relocate to the church in Kilinochchi as the whole area is low lying.

Sand had been purchased for mixing concrete at Ra-annan Farm, near Mullaitivu, where there is a need for a boundary wall to keep out foraging wild pigs. But most of the sand has been washed away. The wind uprooted some of the banana trees at the farm, just as they were nearing the time of harvest. It is disappointing to see these plants develop and fruits form, only for these to be lost with only a few weeks to go. However, approximately 90% of the bananas did survive and it is hoped that these will be harvested soon.

Following the cyclone, the Mission is increasingly being asked for help. The immediate need is for basic food supplies for the poorer families. Also, tarpaulins that can be used to secure temporary roof repairs. Thereafter, support will be required for more permanent house repairs. The hope is to provide for families connected to the mission work – whether they are worshipping within the congregations, supported by Karis Care, or with children attending preschool.

Please pray for mission workers: Rev. Partheepan, deacon Beni, the evangelists Jaykomar and Jesuthas, and the administrator Jayram. Ask that they would be given wisdom in distributing practical support and able to convey the hope and comfort of the gospel.

Gifts to support this vital work can be sent directly via the main Church account. Details for making a bank transfer are available from the Financial Administrator, Mrs Donna Norris.
Alternatively, gifts can be made via your local congregation.