Hampton residents fund village for tsunami survivors

Chris Wickham

Three years after a tsunami killed thousands of Sri Lankans, a village funded by Hampton residents was officially opened by the country’s prime minister. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka opened Hampton Village in Sri Lanka, a project made possible by the work and donations of borough residents.

Boxing Day was the third anniversary of the Asian tsunami, which punched holes in sturdy concrete buildings, carried away vehicles and left at least 31,000 dead in Sri Lanka.

Hampton residents Upali Wickremasekera contacted friends, including other Sri Lankans living in the Hampton area, and formulated a plan to set up the Hampton Village in Sri Lanka charity and re-build the Galle village he grew up in.

Those at the December 15 ceremony included representatives of the England and Sri Lanka cricket teams - who played a Test match in Galle last week - Dr Wickremasekera and Mr Wickramanayake.

Staff from Lensbury Conference Centre in Teddington donated their 2004 tips to the charity, a gesture that was matched by Lensbury Ltd, resulting in a cheque for Sterling Pounds 5,000. One of the new homes in the village was named Lensbury after the riverside centre.

Lesley White, Lensbury chief executive, attended the ceremony to meet the family living in that home and present a cheque for Sterling Pounds 1,100 to provide full time education up to university level for a village child. She said:

“We hope that providing a home has been the start of a long relationship between Lensbury and the Village and we wish all the residents a safe and happy future.” Every family in the new village, recognised as a model for sustainable aid, was selected and has to adhere to a code of conduct.

Lal Gunatunga, who lives in Hampton, said: “Thorough interviews were conducted by prominent civic leaders and members of the Hampton Village Board of Trustees.