 |
|
 |
The Tsunami Disaster |
 |
|
 Round Table Sri Lanka FocusA message by
Tr. Tushar Amalean, Past President, Round Table Sri Lanka. |
 |
 |
Please permit me to express my sincere gratitude for your hospitality and fellowship shown to me during my recent visit. To say that my trip was an experience that will stay with me is most definitely an understatement…most especially how you unbelievably rose to the occasion, just after you thought it was all over, in getting me a Visa to India and back to Chennai the same day!!! I did find time in Sri Lanka to do my Tabling duties but also to do some tourism at the Elephant Orphanage and Spice Garden nearby where I had the opportunity to ride an elephant and enjoy the company of my great friends Jan Erik Goos and IPP Tom Albrigtsen from RT Norway. The visit to the Tsunami stricken zones was perhaps my suggestion at the beginning and boy, was it worthwhile! I believe it was the highlight for most of the International Tablers’ visit. I most enjoyed feeding sweets to the kids and personally meeting a couple of Tsunami orphans …something that put to rest a big desire I had since those dark days in December 2004 when I felt too distant and helpless to be of good use. I have not forgotten the lesson though and hope that in Killarney, Ireland, next may during the RTBI AGM, the BLOG 18 Meeting for Medical Workers will be successful so that, hopefully, next time, tablers will already have a resource pool to work with when Mother Nature shows us again who is boss. I must also thank all of you for the excellent organisation for the RTI Board Meeting. We even had this guy from the hotel who stayed there in the room just in case we needed something…a 7 or 8 hour wait!!! RTI wanted to live up to its commitment to your Region as we believe you have accomplished great things there which are a beacon of hope and example for all RT countries to follow. RT Sri Lanka may be a youngest member but the highest in accomplishment over such a short time… You have done RTI proud! I spent a great deal of time with Chintaka, Chamika and your Thai/Sri lankan tabler whose name escapes me. I will remember great times with Arjuna, Vinod, Mansoor, Suresh, old Tabler Raju and the incredible Tushar who saved my India trip…also my old friend Juzar…so great to have been with you again! I met others whose names were not written down and I apologise for not naming them here but the memories are there in my head. Of course Norbert was there too but if he wants us to notice him, he should never stand next to his girlfriend…he WAS there..I promise!! Serious. Remember that you HAVE made a difference and you HAVE accomplished great things… I remember reading that when you guys hit the road on December 26th it was Sri Lankan Tablers who removed some trees from the roads…meaning you got there BEFORE any other vehicles and you should all be damn proud of that! Tell everybody about that. It wasn’t other NGO’s. It was RT Sri Lanka! You led the way and others followed and I am so proud to know you! Thank you again for a memorable (two visits!!) time in Colombo. Yours in Table Simon Cusens |
On the Round Table front, we can be proud of our members who have been visiting all parts of As a long-term re-building project, discussions were held with The Ministry of Education of We call out to all our fellow tablers and friends worldwide to assist us in this enormous task by contributing whatever funds possible. Your contributions will be an enormous support to us in brightening the lives of the affected children. It's a mighty task ...but worth the smile. |
 |
|
 |
||||
| Designed & Developed by Four Corners Lanka (Pvt) Ltd 2004 All Rights Reserved |
||||
Dear RT Sri Lanka Board members 
One cannot put in words the painful sights, sounds and smells that surround the disaster in 
