Kumar Sangakkara, a name which really needs no introduction, is the latest on the illustrious list of trustees of the Foundation of Goodness (FoG).

Cricket hero Kumar Sangakkara
is now FoG’s newest trustee

He now joins world famous cricketers Muthiah Muralidaran and Chaminda Vaas next to the Foundation’s founder/trustee Kushil Gunasekera – who has been involved with cricket administration at national level, here in the island, as well as representing domestic 1st class cricket. Also on the board are two other trustees namely Ashan Malalasekera and Rohan Iriyagolla both of who have also represented cricket & rugby for their school Royal College at senior level.

FoG’s illustrious trustees Sangakkara, Muralidharan & Vaas and founder/trustee Kushil Gunasekera

The legal ceremony binding Sangakkara to the board of trustee’s of the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) took place on 15 Dec 2008 In Colombo.

FoG’s founder/trustee Kushil Gunasekera is honoured to have Kumar Sangakkara
on the board of trustees

Commenting afterwards Kumar Sangakkara had this to say - "It is a privilege and an honor for me to be invited to become a Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness.  It is a charity that I wholeheartedly support and believe in. I have been a follower of the work of Mr. Kushil Gunasekera who along with Mr. Muthiah Muralidaran has transformed the way in which charity, compassion and love are brought to those who are distressed and in dire-need.  The wonderful work they have done especially in the Seenigama region which I believe is an example to the entire world that has opened my eyes to the fact that individuals with dedication and goodness of their hearts can touch and change the lives of countless others.  I am very grateful for this opportunity and I hope I will have the strength to contribute fully and uphold the values of the Foundation of Goodness."

For FoG’s founder/trustee Kushil Gunasekera it is an honour to welcome another famous cricketer on the board of trustees, and he underlined that this would add value to the services rendered by the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) to people in desperate circumstances. Gunasekera elaborated saying “Sangakkara with his pledge to kindly assist in elevating the standards by way of our holistic approach, especially targeting sports development and harnessing rural talent with the focus on empowerment. He is also a top class ambassador for our nation, and that no doubt will help us to continue with our good work in enriching humanity.”   

FoG’s Work
The Foundation of Goodness (FoG) operates and manages 30 sectors, which empower the poorest of the poor and provide them free access to livelihoods training, skills training, healthcare, wellbeing and education. Based in Seenigama, the holistic approach the Foundations adopts benefits 20,000 people from 25 villages.

FoG provides free healthcare & preschool
facilities to 20,000 villagers

Facilities to benefit these villagers from fully equipped computer classrooms, to a fully fledged diving school, indoor and outdoor sport complexes, cricketing venues and educational institutes were all constructed thanks to magnanimous donors.

People from 25 villages benefit from free
computer education and skills training

However, given the current global economic climate and its effects, funding to sustain the 30 management sectors is of huge concern and it is presently at risk. At the moment two sustainability sponsors in Planet Wheeler Foundation and The Mirchandani Foundation are on board to help maintain certain of the 30 management sectors. However as these funds are for limited periods the not too distant future looks bleak.

Having built a rural community model which is one of a kind in this country to uplift the disadvantaged communities to get aid in life it would be a shame and definitely a loss to the 20,000 people to who the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) is a life source, if any one of the 30 management sectors is compelled to close down.

The Foundation of Goodness (FoG) believes the life and vigor a sporting star of the caliber of Kumar Sangakkara can inject into helping to sustain the Foundation’s work, will definitely have positive and lasting impact.

“Our individual lives cannot,
generally, be works of art,
unless the social order is also.”
- Charles H. Cooley

2009.02.02