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| Saturday, 19 June 2004 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Sri Lanka's star cricketer and world record holder for the highest number of wickets, Muttiah Muralitharan yesterday appealed everyone to join in "Walk the World" to be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. to raise funds to help the poor. Earlier, Muralitharan affectionately called Murali, announced that he would join in the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) campaign to end global hunger and poverty. Muralitharan too will take part in tomorrow's "Walk the World" event aimed at raising awareness and funds for WFP. It is organised by WFP's Corporate partner, the global express and logistics company TPG/TNT. The walk will begin at the Independence Square at 10 a.m. Muralitharan said he was happy to be part of WFP's fight against poverty. "I have been going around the country and seen poverty. As a cricketer, I thought it is nice to be a part of this kind of program to help the needy," he added. Muralitharan has already launched a separate foundation named Muralitharan and Gunasekera Foundation (named in part after his manager - Kushil Gunasekera). "We have done nearly 50 projects through this foundation covering education, sports, medical aid and help for the disabled," he added. WFP Country Director Jeff Taft-Dick said it was a privilege to have Muralitharan as a partner in their campaign against global poverty. "His world-wide sporting renown and his stature in Sri Lanka will bring an enormous amount of attention to end hunger in Sri Lanka and around the globe." Sri Lanka TNT Country Manager Mohan Perera said funds raised by Colombo's walk will go towards WFP's school feeding program in the country. Globally, TNT aims to raise enough money through the walk, which will take place in 73 countries through 24 time zones over 24 hours, to feed some 30,000 children for one school year. In addition to joining the Walk the World, Muralitharan will visit WFP food aid projects in Sri Lanka such as school feeding programs and speak to the public about the destructive impact of hunger and malnutrition and how and why WFP is fighting to overcome it. WFP has been providing food assistance to Sri Lanka since 1968 and during this period. WFP has supported 32 development projects and 20 emergency and protracted relief operations at a total cost of US $ 180 million. |
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