The Royal College Old Boys’ East Coast Foundation (RCOBECF) is immensely grateful for the overwhelming and timely response to our emergency appeal for the Sri Lanka flood crisis (Cyclone Ditwah). Your generosity during this critical hour for our nation has allowed us to execute one of our quickest relief operations to date, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of the members and friends of RCOBECF.
Your swift and meaningful contributions have been channeled directly to two critical areas: empowering first responders and providing immediate sustenance to displaced families.
1. Empowering First Responders on the Ground
On December 3rd, 2025, the RCOBECF successfully delivered essential operational gear directly to the brave Sri Lanka Army and Navy Special Forces teams engaged in immediate rescue and relief operations.
This essential provision included:
- Gum Boots: To ensure the safety and efficiency of teams operating in treacherous, waterlogged environments.
- Power Banks: To maintain essential communication links in areas where power infrastructure has collapsed.
- Waterproof Phone/GPS Cases: To protect vital navigational and communication tools used by rescue personnel.
- Thermal Cameras: Essential equipment for search and rescue operations in low visibility and at night.
2. Essential Aid for Displaced Families
In parallel with supporting rescue teams, RCOBECF has been focused on delivering essential aid to fellow countrymen who now call an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp their temporary home.
Working efficiently with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Police, we have successfully provided critical flood relief supplies (including cooked meals/dry rations):
Kilinochchi Area: Flood relief provided to impacted villagers, ensuring families have immediate access to necessary sustenance and supplies.
Kanthale Area: Further flood relief delivered to impacted villagers, addressing the urgent needs of those in shelters.
Updates: December 6th, 2025
Thamankaduwa, Polonnaruwa: RCOBEC Foundation USA provides flood relief to impacted villagers in Thamankaduwa. Assisted by the divisional secretariat and Grama Sevaka.
Updates: December 7th, 2025
Ja-Ela Area: RCOBEC Foundation USA provides essential items (clothes, medicine, rations, and utensils) to 100 worst-impacted families in the Ja-Ela area, assisted by the Sri Lankan army.
Updates: December 8th, 2025
Mahiyanganana Area: RCOBEC Foundation USA provides school supplies to children severely impacted by the recent floods, assisted by the Sri Lanka Police.
Updates: December 17th, 2025
Anaivilunthan Kulam, Kilinochchi: RCOBEC Foundation USA provides school supplies to 100 students at two schools that were affected by the floods on December 17th. This initiative, which includes light snacks provided by the Sri Lanka Army, ensures that affected children can return to learning immediately when the schools reopen.
Global Solidarity and Future Commitment
This demonstration of kindness reflects true global solidarity, proving that distance cannot prevent hearts from uniting for the well-being and relief of our people. The success of this immediate, critical phase has been entirely dependent on your trust and rapid action.
Please be assured that, based on our decades of experience in community support, every single penny contributed will be spent exclusively on disaster rescue, relief, and reconstruction efforts.
Building on this success, the RCOBEC Foundation has decided to explore the possibility of an even more ambitious, impactful reconstruction project aimed at assisting the communities most impacted by displacement. We are pleased to announce that our major donors have already pledged significant donations for this project, and we will continue to update you with the latest information.
Secretary – RCOBEC Foundation
Updated on December 23rd, 2025
RCOBEC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) approved public non-profit organization.