ICT has been working in the island nation of Sri Lanka for over 20 years, is committed its people, and has just expanded its work there by supporting 2 new tsunami response projects. A child sponsorship project in Hambantota District on the south coast, and a housing project in Trincomolee District on the east coast have received funding and are underway.
On March 26th, 3 months after Boxing Day's devastating tsunami hit the shores of Sri Lanka, Shilpa Children's Trust (Shilpa), one of ICT's partners, began supporting tsunami affected children with funds raised through ICT's child sponsorship programme.

Fifty of Sri Lanka's worst affected children were the first to be matched with sponsors. Since the disaster struck, many individuals in the UK and beyond have contacted ICT to become child sponsors. It is anticipated that up to 300 children will be assisted by ICT and Shilpa in the months ahead. Although delays have occurred in the handing over of funds to the people, due to the need for in-country Government checks, Shilpa is one of the few organisations providing practical assistance to the displaced people. Many of the families in internally displaced people's camps complain of aid agency staff gathering information and compiling lists, but not providing much needed assistance. ICT is proud to support Shilpa as it is an organisation that actually delivers on its promises and gives people real hope. 

Individuals, UK based trusts and foundations and the Italian technology company Finmeccanica are supporting this work by paying �20 per month for the provision of education and clothing to tsunami affected children, as well as much needed trauma counselling. Bank accounts have been opened for the children's carers and for the children themselves so that they can receive funds to help with their upbringing. Bank accounts are monitored by Shilpa workers social workers who also make regular visits to each sponsored household to monitor the progress of supported children.

The Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission is supporting the above Shilpa project as well as a new centre for displaced girls at Makandura Village Project (MVP). The Guernsey Bailiff's Office will be supporting a housing project in Trincomolee district, which aims to rebuild 50 houses for fishing communities who lost their homes on the north east coast.

UK-based trusts and foundations that have so far made contributions to ICT's overall for tsunami response effort include the Three Oaks Trust, the Owen Smith Charitable Trust, the Elkhaven Charitable Trust, the Raven Charitable Trust and others that wish to remain anonymous.

In addition to ICT's tsunami response work, ICT continues to provide general support to Shilpa's and MVP's centres in and near to Colombo for ongoing rehabilitation of displaced children and young people.