Anura Perera's Affiliations

• George Phylnormel Foundation Ltd

• Member of Institution of Engineers & Technicians (MIET)

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (MASME) LIfe Member

Anura Perera's Publications

• The Triple Gem Village in Sri Lanka, Anura Perera September, 2010 Over the past decade, Mr. Anura Perera has been extensively involved with a number of projects sponsored by the Triple Gem Society. One of these projects was the construction of the Triple Gem Village in Sri Lanka, which was completed in 2005 to provide housing for tsunami survivors that lost their homes during the natural disaster. During the dedication ceremony of the village, 24 families were given new homes after a night of rituals to bless the fledgling community. The final village consisted of 50 homes, 35 of which were completed before the dedication ceremony took place. Immediately after the tsunami, the Triple Gem Society’s founder, Bhante Wimala, began addressing the needs of the survivors, including temporary housing. Bhante Wimala soon realized the need for permanent housing solutions and began planning for the construction of the Triple Gem Village. Supported by his friends and students, Bhante Wimala provided for the completion of the first 35 homes in just over three months. Anura Perera alone donated the funding for 20 of the new homes. Bhante Wimala assembled a skilled team of contractors, engineers, and architects to plan and construct the community. All of the homes were built from brick with tile roofs, a shower room, plumbing, and electricity. Even after the first Triple Gem Village was completed, almost a year after the tsunami hit, more than 150 families still remained in temporary housing in the Triple Gem refugee camps. The Triple Gem Society promptly set out to help these families and began planning for a second Triple Gem Village.

• Bhante Wimala’s Work Eradicating the Chigoe Flea in Kenya, Anura Perera February, 2011 I believe strongly in educational and charitable community projects that work to improve society. In 1999, I funded construction of the Theravada Buddhist Center in Nairobi, Kenya, in memory of my parents George and Norma Perera. The Center provides local residents with a sanctuary for meditation and prayer under the guidance of head monk Bhante Wimala. The Center is also an important community resource, spearheading humanitarian projects throughout Kenya. I proudly support Bhante Wimala’s recent project assisting people in rural Kenya affected by the chigoe flea. The chigoe flea, or jigger, is the smallest known flea, and it can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. Making its home in soil and sand, the female jigger reproduces by burrowing headfirst into the skin of humans and other animals. As she feeds off blood vessels, the jigger’s abdomen remains outside, allowing for breathing and defecation. Over a period of days, eggs mature in the female’s abdomen, causing it to swell until they are released and fall to the ground. The female flea then dies, with her head remaining in the skin. Jiggers generally burrow into the feet, causing intense irritation. If a flea remains in the skin for an extended period, it can cause infection and health complications. Health officials estimate that some 2.5 million Kenyans are infested with jiggers, and some 10 million people are at risk of infestation. While jiggers do not transmit HIV/AIDS, there have been reports of people sharing pins and needles to remove jiggers and spreading the disease that way. Bhante has spent considerable time educating Kenyans about proper foot hygiene. He hopes to launch an initiative soon to eradicate jiggers completely in several villages. Bhante is currently talking with sponsors who might enlarge the scope of this program, which would have a sizable impact on the lives of rural Kenyans. To learn more about Bhante’s humanitarian projects, visit the Theravada Buddhist Center at nairobibuddhisttemple.org.

• Rebuilding a School in Madu Village, Sri Lanka, by Anura Perera , Anura Perera's Blog on Bigsight November, 2011 An experienced executive and entrepreneur, Anura Perera has spent many years working with a variety of government entities and corporations around the world. Mr. Perera also devotes considerable energy to philanthropic efforts, including supporting the work of Bhante Wimala and the Triple Gem Society. In recent years, his support has helped the Triple Gem Society complete a variety of projects throughout the world, including building a school in Madu, a village in the Vavnia district of Sri Lanka. Here, Mr. Perera outlines the success of the school project. Working with Bhante Wimala, a respected Buddhist monk, I recently had the opportunity to fund the construction of a beautiful new school in Madu. During the Sri Lankan civil war twenty years ago, separatists destroyed the village’s original school. Many of the villagers were killed, wounded, or forced to leave the area during this time. Since 2010, Madu villagers have begun returning to resettle the area. Many returning families, however, had left their children behind in other communities that could provide them with educations. When Bhante Wimala visited the area, local leaders and members of the military told him that a school building was one of their greatest needs. After discussing this problem with Mr. Wimala over the phone, I decided to assist him by offering funding for the construction project. posted at bhantewimala.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED posted at bhantewimala.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Together with the military, Bhante Wimala and his long-term driver, Sidath, oversaw the total design and construction of the school, including offering suggestions about materials and cost control. At the recent opening of the new school, members of the community, leaders from the military, and students gathered to celebrate. The opening ceremony included a number of heartfelt speeches from Madu residents. The military organized the event, provided food and drinks for the guests, and assisted with cleanup. More information about the project, including pictures of the school, is located online at www.bhantewimala.com.

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