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| Tuesday, 28 October 2003 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera The annual life saving swimming meet organised by the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka was held in a sperally built picturesque swimming pool in the Ibbankaduwa Tank in Dambulla on Friday with the Sigiriya Rock fortress and Kandalama-Dambulla hills in the backgdrop. This years meet was held on the theme of propogating life saving techniques and methods among people in the interior and forging communial amity and hopes for Peace. UNICEF Representative Ted Chaiban and Central Range West DIG Nimal Mediwaka were chief Guests. Addressing the vast gathering present to witness the events Life Saving Association President DIG Sirisena Herath congradulated the sportsmen and women of different communities who participated for joining hands to show solidarity at a time when the Government is engaged in a Peace process to foster National harmony in Sri Lanka. Over 2000 school children from 47 schools and ten sports clubs participated at the swimming events. It was a colourful event to watch the school children, teenage boys and girls, displaying the techniques of saving the lives of persons fallen into dire straits in the waters. DIG Herath thanked the chief guest, Permanent UNICEF representative Ted Chaiban for not only gracing the occasion but also shouldering the responsibility of providing food for all the participants. A tank has been specially constructed for this competition which is being held for the third time, DIG Sirisena Herath said. DIG Herath emphasised that the UNICEF representative in assisting this program was truly helping the march towards national unity which has eluded the country for many years which may very soon become a reality. This is not the first occasion the UNICEF had contributed towards the success of events of this nature. All contributions made by UNICEF have been used in a meaningful manner without allowing them to go waste. May this endeavour serve as a beacon to others to guide the nation to the safe shores of peace and harmony and also seek a transition in young minds to keep away from crime and drugs which is also a theme of this event, DIG Herath added. A stage drama on Drug Prevention (Kala Mangallaya) was held at Dambulla National School Grounds. The marchpast was also held where the Chief Guest, UNICEF Country Representative Ted Chaiban took the salute. Ted Chaiban, Central Range West DIG Nimal Mediwaka, chairman of the organising committee, DIG Crimes, Criminal Intelligence and Organised Crimes and Chairman Police Acquatic Clubs Sirisena Herath, Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children, Young Persons and Women, Director Senior SP Sarath Jayasundera, Advisor of Sri Weera Densil Kobbekaduwa Life Saving and Acquatic Club and Principal Palwehera KV D.R.J. Dehigama addressed the ceremony. This is a part of a long-term programme on Crime and Drug Prevention which is being vigorously implemented. "We have also arranged Anti-Crime Street Dramas and painting competitions and planned to put up banners on drugs and alcohol prevention to mark the event. This event will no doubt help foster national unity, DIG Herath added. |
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