Since independence from British rule, the island of Sri Lanka has been experiencing an ethnic conflict that has slowly developed into a full-scale civil war.

A ceasefire has been in place since February 2002  due to Norway intervention.  However, the ground situation has deteriorated drastically during recent months.

Sustain exists to organise and provide cover across all fields of education, training.  We aim to provide job opportunities for educational, cultural, social and economic development of Tamil community in the United Kingdom and in the deprived Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

Tsunami re-development

In wake of the Tsunami that has taken place across the southern parts of Asia, over 31,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka alone.

We are currently raising a Tsunami rebuilding fund and could we kindly ask anyone wishing to donate contact us via the contact page on this website

Thank you for your generosity.

Educational development

Many people have had their educational plans disrupted due to the several years of schooling they have been forced to miss. Although some of them may have the opportunity to study now they are not necessarily taking this up as there is a feeling of embarrassment that they have reached an age where it is too late to study. They have been psychologically affected and undoubtedly their confidence has deteriorated. The combined effect of this and the shortage of teachers due to displacement have resulted in a lack of professionals.

We hope to fill the educational gap and give the deprived areas an academic boost.

We have planned to send a group of teachers who are to teach English in the rural areas. We are inviting volunteers; retired teachers, professionals and even students with gap years are accommodated for to engage in this project to promote education and skilled training. There is a great shortage of skilled workers at all levels.

The long term objective of this project is for the people in the country to overcome the shortage of vocational skills, for them to develop themselves, their own future teachers and in turn to avoid the need to rely on external help.

Environmental development

A large portion of the east, southeast, and northern parts of the country comprise the Dry Zone. The Dry Zone receives around 120 to 190 cm of rain annually which usually occurs during October to January. The natural vegetation of the dry zone is adapted to the annual change from flood to drought. During the rest of the year there is very little precipitation.  Trees conserve water using the thick bark; most have tiny leaves, and some drop their leaves during this season. Also, the topmost branches of the tallest trees often interlace, forming a canopy against the hot sun and a barrier to the dry wind.

These zones which have environmentally adapted have previously allowed the rural population of Sri Lanka to sustain itself on what the forest could provide. The vegetation was a source of food/nutrients as well as the trees themselves from the dry land forests, providing valuable commodities such as such as satinwood, ebony, ironwood, and mahogany.

The lush green area which has now been destroyed, appears to be dry and open. The Coconut and Palmyra trees have been the backbone of the economy. These trees have been used by the people for survival purposes; food, building, roofs (leaves), decorative purposes, fuel and more.

However this is now no longer possible as 40 million trees over the two decades have been destroyed and therefore there is a great impact affecting rainfall. Global warming has not helped matters of course.

To help forestation and greenery in the North East we need to replace the trees as a matter of urgency if not it will be disastrous for future the generation.

Every year we aim to raise funds to replace 1 million trees.

"Think globally and act locally"