Our hearts and thoughts are with you and we are very happy that you are safe. Of course the ITTF will be pleased to help in any way possible. When you are ready please let us know the best way to help you. In the meantime, I hope that the missing players are found and that your association can be back on its feet in the shortest delay possible.
Sincerely,
Adham Sharara
Adham Sharara ITTF President
Dear Sir,
Words can not describe what has happened to us and of the aftermath. In touch with Lila and she is safe. When I spoke to her yesterday she said that she was moving inland towards the hill area to visit her mother and will be back on the 5th of Jan. We are simply tired and exhausted. The devastation has left many homeless. All of this I am sure has been seen on CNN.
Sri Lanka a multi ethnic country has been seen hoisting burial flags off all nationalities. It is sad that a once war torn nation has to bury its dead together in a common grave hastily dug up irrespective of cast, status and very specially the nationality of whether being a Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim or Christian.
Lila asked what could be done as many of our talented players from the coastal belt of Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa are either missing or have lost every thing including their loved ones. What I told her was that our primary endeavours are to get them to stand on their feet let alone think about how they would continue with the sport.
Mr. Sharara, we need your assistance but dont know what is immediately needed. Perhaps in a few days time I will be able to assess the actual need of things on behalf of the people of our nation specially the little children who have taken to the sport. Jan Berner (Olympic Solidarity coach sent by Mr. Tepper) will tell you of a potential little boy of 11 (he called him a diamond) who was a silver medalist (Under 12 event) in the Taiyuan Int. Tournament this year in china, is still to be found. The stories is endless with lots and lots of human tragedies.
Relief is pouring in many forms to the government but we are wondering whether it is going to the correct persons and areas as usual the politicians are only concerned about publicity and are helping their elective areas.
Our appeal from the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka to the international community is to help us stand on our feet again. Once again let us assess the real impact and devastation and come before you with what we actually want.
I thank you in this time of grief for your efforts too taken in this regard and for your kind words. Please circulate this message to all ITTF member countries if appropriate.
My profoundest thanks.
Reza Latiff Asst. Secretary - Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka & Treasurer - National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka
