The Board responds to human and environmental need in the light of the Gospel. Its work runs through four regional boards covering Colombo, Galle, Up Country and Jaffna, with trainers who are themselves drawn from those communities.
After Cyclone Ditwah
From November 2025 to June 2026 most of the Board's work was the response to Cyclone Ditwah. Working through the regional boards and the parishes, it helped 1,371 families, 250 adults and 655 children and students directly, and an estimated thousand more people indirectly.
The first weeks were food: dry rations and relief packs to families at Habarakada, Athurugiriya, Kotmale and Nuwara Eliya, and cooked meals for people who had lost their homes. The parishes knew who was worst affected, and the help went to them first.
Then came the slower work. Families were helped into temporary housing and given bedding, mattresses and cooking pots. Damaged houses were repaired and rebuilt. Children received stationery and learning kits so that nobody dropped out of school. Tools and materials were replaced so that households could earn again, and small businesses were helped to restart.
The money came from churches and individuals across the Diocese, from Sri Lankans overseas, and from partners: the Anglican Board of Mission in Australia and New Zealand, Asia CMS, USPG, Episcopal Relief and Development, and the Archbishop of Canterbury's Anglican Communion Fund.
Clean water
Deep wells and purification plants have been built at Tangalle, Bogawantalawa, Agarapatana and Vavuniya, planned with the local church and village leaders. Each comes with training on saving water and on hygiene, and a local arrangement for maintenance, so that the village owns the system once the work is done. Earlier projects at Nivithigala and Lindula, in partnership with Amity, reached three hundred and fifty individuals and two hundred and fifty families.
Health
The Board supports community organisations working with people living with HIV and AIDS, and has supplied medical equipment to local health services.
Keeping children in school
Five children affected by HIV and AIDS were supported through the school year, with additional help for stationery in December. All five stayed in school. Twenty three children from plantation worker families at Waga received shoe vouchers and school bags in July; teachers reported improved attendance afterwards. Seventeen children across Galle, the Up Country, Colombo and Jaffna were supported from the Bishop's Office education fund.
Tea Sunday
Held on 11 August 2024 to raise awareness across the Diocese of the educational obstacles facing Malaiyaga Makkal children, the descendants of the workers brought to the tea estates. Congregations committed to long term support.
Secretary: Dr Sukanya Devarajan. The Board's work is also supported by the United Thank Offering and Amity.