Glasgow art exhibition raises funds for Tsunami children

An art exhibition was held at Tramway exhibition hall in Glasgow, Scotland recently to raise funds for children affected by the Tsunami in the South of Sri Lanka.
It was organised by the Scotland Buddhist Vihara under the patronage of its Head Monk, Ven. Kamburawala Rewatha Thero. Ms. Nelum Arrachchige, an artist who lives in Glasgow, was instrumental inmaking this event for a worthy cause a reality.
A member of the Scottish Parliament, Minister for International Development Tourism and Culture, Patricia Ferguson, opened the exhibition.
Ven. Rewatha who addressed the gathering on the topic, "Sri Lanka Today - Two Years After Tsunami", said the Scotland Buddhist Vihara helped a large number of tsunami victims with the support of the
Scottish Government and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotlan.
He said that they built houses for displaced families, provided toilets and sanitary facilities and arranged scholarships for the Tsunami-affected children. A medical surgery session was held with British doctors. Dancing classes were also organised for Tsunami children.
"We are now in the process of building an orphanage which is expected to be opened in December this year", he said.
Thanking the Scottish people and said nothing could have been done without their help.
The prelate said that when he went to Sri Lanka he found out that there were Tsunami-affected children with long-term illnesses. They could not be helped with the financial assistance he received which were meant for other projects. Therefore, an art exhibition was organized to raise funds for these children.
Artist Nelum Arrachchige said that they held an art competition among the Tsunami affected children and selected 50 paintings which were put up for sale. She also has donated some of her own paintings to raise funds for the Scotland Buddhist Vihara Foundation.
Minister Patricia Ferguson said, "I think it’s important that people don’t just look at them and appreciate them as lovely works of art. They should think about the people who painted them, think about the situation that they may be experiencing and hopefully dig deep and spend some money."
Ven. Rewatha told the Sunday Island that they collected more than Three Thousand Pounds by selling these paintings over four days. "This money can be spent for Tsunami affected children with long-term illnesses".
Sujeewa Nuvunhella