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20th anniversary of International AIDs Candlelight Memorial

On Sunday, May 18, 2003, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was observed in over 1,500 cities and towns in 85 countries making it the largest grassroots AIDS event ever. The annual event, co-ordinated worldwide by the Global Health Council, commemorates the lives lost to AIDS, demonstrates support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and mobilises community based response to HIV/AIDS, states a press release from Alliance Lanka.

Alliance Lanka organised the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial event together with its Partner NGOs in Sri Lanka.

The local event took place at the Obeysekerapura Community Hall, in Rajagiriya on Sunday, May 18 from 5.30 to 8.00 p.m.

The theme of this year's International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was "Remember the cause, Renew our commitment". According to Swarna Kodagoda, Executive Director of Alliance Lanka, co-ordinator of this event.

"The International AIDS Candlelight memorial is an opportunity for each of us to dedicate ourselves once again to the fight against AIDS.

We will join together in our commitment to continue our fight against AIDS until the pandemic is over for all people everywhere. Around the world, local co-ordinating organisations, which are often community based AIDS organisations, religious groups or coalitions of people living with AIDS, have already held candlelight events in their areas.

Alliance Lanka with communities living in and around Obeysekerapura held this event with HIV/AIDS awareness presentation made by Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon from the STD/AIDS Control Programme, a presentation on voluntary blood donations made by Dr. Manchanayake from the National Blood bank followed by screening a video film on HIV/AIDS. The event was held with generous support from Ceylinco Sarana Fund, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. and His Worship the Mayor, members and staff of the Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte Municipal Council.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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