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| Friday, 15 October 2004 |
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Golf in aid of blind and visually handicapped - praiseworthy by Richard Dwight "What is this thing called light, which I must never enjoy," the cry of a poor blind boy, came swiftly to mind as Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria, the advisor for the Sri Lanka Federation for the Visually Handicapped (SLFVH). addressed media personnel at a briefing yesterday at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) in connection with the raising of funds through a golf tournament, in collaboration with RCGC to be held on Wednesday October 27 at the RCGC. It's bound to be a golf tournament with a difference, where the prime aim of the SLFVH is to espouse and champion the cause of the visually handicapped. Such selfless service, rendered to the helpless needy, is often spoken of as a sacrificial labour of love, towards which the SLFVH is deeply committed. Dr. Weerasooria said despite the sport being referred to as a rich man's game there were many golfers, who being human enough, responded to his plea on the golf course, and on speck collected Rs. 20,000 for the blind. On seeing a film, the golfers were of the view, that they ought to do more to cushion off the blow of this unfortunate people who suffer from the loss of sight. It does tug at our heart strings to learn from Weerasooria that there are over 125,000 totally blind and about 500,000 visually disabled. We who can see mist help those who cannot, in the laudable thinking of the SLFVH. Towards this end the Federation maintains and develops two ongoing housing projects for the elderly blind at Ambalantota and Walasmulla - with improvements necessary for an orphanage for blind children at Anuradhapura and, more units to house more people required. To ensure vision for young men and women, who may go blind through cataract. Instil confidence, reassurance and support in the minds of blind beggars to veer them off the streets. The SLFVH also takes pains in securing suitable employment for these helpless people, to help themselves. The Captain of the RCGC, Kumar Boralessa, was mindful that this tournament was for a worthy cause and was sure that all the members of the club will rally round to make this a successful fund-raiser. Boralessa stressed he was more than pleased, when asked whether the club could help and, was further personally moved to allocate as a gift one poya day in the golfing calendar to raise finds for charity. The President of the SLFVH, Navaratne Banda, who has served in this capacity for 15 years and is blind himself, understandably with a measure of poignancy said that all though the he had eyes he couldn't see. Overwhelmed by emotion he was happy to observe the commitment of all in helping their cause, especially Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria, who is doing much. He stirred the emotions of those present when he said "I am so sad I cannot see you all, but I offer you a gift of love and gratitude for your concern. Also associated at the briefing were two members of the organizing committee Dr. Manjula Karunaratne and Mrs. Niloo Jayatilleke. The tournament will be conducted on the Stableford format in the morning and afternoon of October 27 at 6.45 a.m. with many prizes on offer. The SLFVH is an Inland Revenue approved charity and any contributions donations made to SLFVH are tax deductible. Further details could be had from the General Secretary SLFVH R.A. Sirisena, 74 Church Street, Colombo 2 Telephone/Fax 4720148 |
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