British Sri Lankan, Sam Goonetillake is a firm believer in giving back to the community. Although he has lived in the UK since 1967, his affinity with Sri Lanka remains strong. Working as a volunteer during the tsunami, Sam was struck by how much more he could do for Sri Lanka. With that in mind, he set up Helplanka a UK registered charity in 2005. During the ensuing years, Sam and his helpers have done yeoman service to Sri Lanka by conducting various projects.  In an exclusive interview with Life, Sam explains the work of his charity and how people can support the endeavours of Helplanka.

Q What inspired you to set up a charitable organisation in Sri Lanka?  
After volunteering on the telephone helplines at Sri Lanka Tourism Board on 28 Dec 2004, I was struck by how many people loved and wanted to help Sri Lanka after the Asian Tsunami and wanted to do something to help children following the disaster. 

Q What are some of the major projects Helplanka has undertaken?
Building 12 homes for Tsunami homeless in Ahangama, a nursery school in Hambantota,  providing a new boat engine and nets for Fisherman in Matara, the provision of school uniforms, shoes, book donations computer labs and playgrounds are just a few of the projects. Additionally, we have conducted trauma counselling and abuse prevention. We have also rebuilt the school and donated toys for special needs children. We have also conducted school twinning programmes, volunteering schemes, feeding programmes, providing medical aid and conducted musical, sports and IT programmes.
  
Q As a British Sri Lankan residing in the UK why do you feel the need to give back to Sri Lanka?
Having lived in the UK since 1967 I wanted to do something lasting and impactful for the country with my skills, training and contacts in the UK. 

Q How do you raise funds for your charity work?
Through private donations from friends, contacts and school children in the UK. We do not get any assistance from the government or grants.

Q Is it a registered charity?
Yes, it is a UK-registered charity number 1110306  since 2005 as well as a non-profit making organisation.

Q What are some of the obstacles you have faced while carrying out projects in Sri Lanka?
We are non-partisan and non-governmental. Neither are we affiliated with any party or religious group. The obstacles we have experienced are unnecessary local and national government bureaucracy, taxation and unsolicited involvement.
  
Q You mention unsolicited involvement has been an obstacle. Can you relate an incident as an example?  
Politicians turning up, often uninvited and taking credit for our work. 

Q What can the Sri Lankan government do more to help organisations like yours?  
Give tax incentives such as corporation tax relief and gift aid to  Sri Lankan resident donors and stop taxing charity organisations. They could also give a discounted Dual Citizen scheme for charity workers,  give grants and share business contacts for CSR with organisations like ours.
  
Q What is the most recent project you have completed? 
A children’s playground at Seemaweliye,  Puttalam in the North Western Province.
  
Q How will you ensure the longevity of Help Lanka?
My 4 children and family are involved and committed to continuing the work. We demonstrate the value of Helplanka through PR and word of mouth helps publicise our work.

Q Tell us how the School Twinning programme works? 
We find schools across the UK that want to include Sri Lanka as a project in geography. For example, a twin school in Sri Lanka raises funds, sends books and arranges child education sponsorship. There is a  £25 per month penfriend scheme and visits to Sri Lankan schools.

Q When these British teenagers visit Sri Lanka, how did they find this experience? 
It is a life-changing and rewarding experience for them enabling and developing leadership skills, friendship and education, mutually. 

Q How much of a positive impact have these projects had on the lives of the community in total?
Helplanka has reached 200,000 children since 2005, providing training, resources and equipment to all communities while promoting unity, peace and a long-term intervention that is slowly transforming the lives of children in rural communities.

Q How do you select which geographical areas to work in? 
Currently, we are working with a local charity based in Chilaw and Puttalam areas which has a diverse ethnic composition and issues of malnourishment, social problems and addiction. 

Q Any further plans in the pipeline?
Helplanka is committed to extending support to children of all faiths and communities, especially in the North Western Province, where poverty is acute and has announced the launch of a new Project, to be unveiled in 2024, of providing a mobile book and toy library to serve rural communities across Sri Lanka.

Pix Courtesy: Help Lanka