Past KASTDA News Articles!

21 April 2007    Sri Lankan Celebration Evening by Fund Raisers

KASTDA held its third annual fund-raiser at Birchington Village Centre on April 21 – and the packed hall enjoyed a brilliant evening. Guests, visitors, supporters, friends and KASTDA members enjoyed the chance to sample a full range of traditional food from Sri Lanka, enjoy music and dance performances, and help boost funds via a ticket prize draw, a raffle and tombola that made around £2,600 for our tsunami orphans fund.

The Birchington get-together was the charity’s first major fund raiser of 2007 and as well as being a chance for people to explore the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka, it was also the opportunity for the volunteers to mix socially.

The Kastda Sri Lankan evenings began in Birchington two years ago – and then expanded to include annual events in Canterbury. KASTDA president David Alexander praised everyone who helped organise the event for their tireless efforts, and thanked supporters and sponsors of the evening for “yet again showing such kind generosity.” He added: “The third Birchington event was another successful, entertaining and friendly evening.”






26 December 2006    KASTDA Boxing Day Tribute for Tsunami Victims

Be at Margate Harbour at 11am on 26 December 2006

THE thousands of people who lost their lives in the Boxing Day tsunami that devastated south east Asia are to be remembered at the Kent seaside in a tribute exactly two years on.

Group spokesman Meththa Meththananda, whose family launched the Sri Lankan community appeal within hours of the Boxing Day disaster being broadcast round the world in 2004, said:

“Our tribute is for all nationalities that lost their lives in the tsunami. It is also a tribute to the children and families who are slowly rebuilding their lives, and it is a public thank you to everyone who has supported our fund raising efforts in so many ways during the last year.”

Click here to read the Pre-Event Press Release
Click here to read the Post-Event Press Release






28 November 2006    KASTDA granted charitable organisation status

KASTDA has been granted charitable organisation status by the Charity Commissioner in the UK from 28 November 2006. The Charity Number is 1117035.

KASTDA's Upali Meththananda says:

"The work of KASTDA towards the Tsunami-affected children in Sri Lanka has been officially recognised by the Charity Commissioner in the UK when charitable organisation status was granted on 28 November 2006."

"This is the result of all KASTDA's past & present executive committees, its members and so many other people's hard work, dedication and contribution. The real beneficiaries are the KASTDA children."




07 October 2006    KASTDA Fund-Raising Event: Sri Lankan Dinner Dance

All were made welcome at the latest KASTDA fund-raising event, a Sri Lankan Dinner Dance, which took place on the evening of Saturday 07 October 2006, at the Chaucer Technology School.

Guests enjoyed some of the finest Sri Lankan cuisine as part of a wonderful evening of Sri Lankan culture complete with a selection of Sri Lankan music and a beautiful display of traditional dance.

All entrance tickets were entered in the Lucky Ticket Draw!

More info



24 September 2006    Fund-raising enthusiasm ends in broken finger!

Anaesthetist Manoj Senaratne, a member of the winning QEQM Hospital/KASTDA team, suffered a broken finger while enthusiastically raising funds for KASTDA during a friendly match against Worth Cricket Club. £533 was raised at the event that took place at Worth Cricket Club on 24 September 2006. The funds will go directly to young victims of the Tsunami.

Full story


24 September 2006    Happy Birthday to David and Alex!

A joint birthday party for KASTDA president David Fletcher and his wife Alex, which took place on 24 September 2006, raised £340 when guests were asked to make a donation to KASTDA instead of bringing birthday presents.

Full story



20 September 2006    Best Wishes to Kastda from Sri Lanka High Commissioner!
This image shows a thumbnail image of the message from the Sri Lanka High Commissioner
Click thumbnail to read message

10 June 2006    Kastda fund-raising event - Sri Lankan Dinner & Cultural Evening

Many took this wonderful opportunity to indulge in some of the finest traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, and to enjoy an evening of Sri Lankan culture including a selection of beautiful Sri Lankan music. Entrance tickets were entered for the Lucky Ticket Draw. The event took place on Saturday, 10 June 2006 at Birchington Village Centre - Tickets started from just £10

More Info

Read Event News Article


30 April 2006    Tsunami Scholarship Awards

At an inaugural meeting held on 30 April 2006 the first KASTDA Scholarship Awards were presented to a group of Tsunami-affected children.

See Pictures
23 April 2006    Sharon's 26 Miles of Smiles for Tsunami Ophans
This image shows Sharon Foster, who will run in the 2006 London Marathon to raise funds for KASTDA.

Runner Sharon Foster raised funds for KASTDA in the London marathon.

“Sunday was an experience! The weather was probably really good for the elite faster runners but after four and a half hours we were soaked through - every step hurt in wet shoes and socks!

“The crowds were absolutely unbelievable - ordinary people lining the streets handing out sweets, chocolate, orange quarters and bananas.

“I ran with two friends from Thanet Roadrunners - Amanda and Barbara - and we encouraged each other every step of the 26 miles on the way round.

”I just kept thinking about turning miles into smiles for the youngsters that KASTDA is helping and it was that that kept me going for 4 hours 31 minutes and 38 seconds.

Congratulations to Sharon from all at KASTDA for her magnificent effort

More info
24 February 2006    Office Bearers Elected - AGM 2006

At the 2006 AGM, new Office Bearers were elected

More info



Kastda raise £20,000 during their first year of fund-raising!

"KASTDA is very happy that it is now able to support 62 Tsunami-affected children in Sri Lanka thanks to funds raised during its first year of existence"




The Kastda Constitution
Download the KASTDA Constitution Here