With the objective of providing relief to the people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Buddhist temples in coordination with the Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States, under the leadership of the Chief Incumbent of these temples, Venerable Dr. Surakkulame Pemarathana Thero, the monks of the monastery and the donor community donated US$5,000/= to the Embassy's relief fund, while the Cleveland Buddhist Temple donated US$5,500/= to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Fund directly.  The total donated under the leadership of these temples with the support of the Sri Lankan community was US$10,500.

In addition, the Pittsburgh Buddhist Temple has also donated US$3,584/= to a project to clean and renovate drinking water wells which is being carried out by the Rotary Club of Sri Lanka.

The Pittsburgh Buddhist Temple and the Cleveland Buddhist Temple have also begun a program to collect essential items for affected families and ship them to Sri Lanka. The support of DP Distributing Enterprises LLC for this program gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.

This charitable cause was supported financially and in kind by Sri Lankan donors living in the United States and by American friends who were sensitive to the challenges faced by Sri Lanka at this time of need. We are grateful to all of them.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Washington D.C.

22.12.2025