1.
Community: Growth Network – Asia Pacific Forum: General

Thread: All Trainees are Safe in Thailand
Author: Wasala Mudiyanselage Kulendra Janaka

Hello everybody, This is to announce that all AIESECers in Sri Lanka were not directly harmed by the recent occurances.
However most of the southern and eastern coastal cities of the country have been destroyed. We would like to thank all who wished us well, and were with us although thousand kilometers away. We also wish all the other countries which were affected, will recover soon from the situation. Thank you again.

Kulendra Janaka
National IS Manager AIESEC in Sri Lanka

2.
(20041227 04:58)
Dear AIESEC,

It is with greatest sadness that I write to you over the huge devastation caused to our paradise island by Tidal Waves on the early hours of 26th of Dec 2004.

Although many deaths have occurred all of the AIESEC people (members/trainees) and their families in the country are known to be safe.

Massive waves triggered by earthquakes crashed into Sri Lankan villages along a wide stretch of eastern and southern coast on killing at least 4,500 people and displacing about a million people.

The cause for the tidal waves has been identified as a great earthquake of magnitude 8.9 OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA. Sri Lanka is the worst hit country from this disaster with other Asian countries also suffering damage and casualties.

The water has receded back to the sea in most areas as I write to you and rescue and relief efforts are underway.

We really appreciate the care and concern shown by all our AIESEC friends from around the world …especially those who were trying to get hold of us and more information all day long. It makes us stronger in knowing that you stand with us in athis time of need.

Our thoughts are with all who’ve lost a loved one and all who lost their homes in Sri Lanka and around the world.

A Time to stand UNITED!!!

on Behalf of AIESEC in Sri Lanka,

Suchith Abeyewickreme