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The President of the Burgher Association was contacted by Mr. Sonny Ockersz, President of
the Batticaloa Burgher Union, immediately after the Tsunami devastated the East Coast. He
requested help urgently by way of the immediate needs of the affected people especially
the Burghers. A large consignment of goods was immediately purchased and collected from
some members of our Association and a lorry load taken to Batticaloa on the 2nd of January
2005. Accompanying these items were the President, Mr. Maxi Rozairo, the Vice President,
Mr. Dunstan Kelaart and Mrs. Dilly Kelaart, Mr. Hans Beekmeyer of the Executive Committee
and a few other members of the Burgher Association. Mrs. Dilly Kelaart was instrumental in
initiating and contacting the undermentioned persons who promptly and generously
contributed towards this worthy cause.
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NAME |
AMOUNT IN Rs. |
Keith & Barbie Claessen
Brisbane, Australia |
749,000.00 |
Mrs. Maureen Perera
Germany |
25,000.00 |
Kenneth Van Heer
London |
17,650.00 |
Mrs. Pan Weerasinghe
Germany |
14,000.00 |
Mrs. Estelle Bogaars
Melbourne, Australia |
10,000.00 |
Mrs. Debra Davis
USA |
8,000.00 |
| Mrs. Decima Crusz |
1,000.00 |
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These monies are deposited in a special account of The Burgher Association at Hatton
National Bank, Nugegoda, Current Account No. 0270400612
Reaching Batticaloa after a very hard journey due to bad road
conditions, the Burgher Association handed over the goods to Mr. Sonny Ockersz at the
Batticaloa Burgher Union Office and was extremely grateful for the quick response and the
concern shown by the Burghers.
According to Mr. Sonny Ockersz over 200 families of Burghers lost their homes and their
livelihood. Over 150 lives were lost. The members of the Burgher Association then visited
the area called the 'Dutch Bar' where most of the houses of the Burghers were situated and
were appalled at the destruction caused by the Tsunami. The Burghers are now housed in a
Convent close to the Batticaloa town and are living in miserable conditions. The Burgher
Association is now in the process of assessing the needs of the Burghers in Batticaloa in
order to help those poor people get back on their feet. It is intended to provide the
affected Burghers most of whom are craftsmen, carpenters, masons, electricians and motor
mechanics with the relevant tools to commence their livelihood. This is a plan for which
we are requesting help and funds from the Burghers overseas and in Sri Lanka.
Finally, we make a special request to all our members to come forward to support those
Burghers in need.
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| Your donations could be made in favour of
'The Burgher Association' and directed to Hatton National Bank, Nugegoda, Current Account
No.0270400612. Those desirous of making contributions in kind could call over at our
Office at YWCA Premises, 393, Union Place, Colombo 02. Tel: +94 (0)11 4737796 |
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| List of persons who lost their lives by tsunami at Dutch Bar & Uppodai. |
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