Anti-Filaria campaign begins at Temple Trees

by Sarath Malalasekera

The three Armed Forces and the Police are involved day and night in protecting the country and as such their members have no time to attend to their health. Organisations like the Lions Clubs in the country, headed by Lion Graetian Gunawardhana MJF, District Governor District 306 B2, has come forward to assist, chiefly the three Armed Forces and the Police, in this most vital aspect of caring for their health, said the Prime Minister's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga at the launching ceremony of distributing of anti-filaria tablets in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister's Secretary addressing the security staff of the Prime Minister at yesterday's National Filariasis Day held at the Temple Trees premises paid tribute to Anti-Filaria Campaign Director Ms. Tilaka Liyanage for her excellent service to eradicate the filaria menace from the country.

Mr. Weeratunga also thanked Lion Gunawardhana for his efforts to arrange the programme of distributing the first stock of Anti-Filaria tablets to security personnel at Temple Trees.

"The public also should assist the Lions in this anti-filaria programme to wipe out the filaria menace,the PM's secretary added.

Prevention is better than cure, he said and thanked Lion Gunawardhana for beginning his anti-filaria campaign from the PM's Security Division.

"Our Security Forces and the Police should be commended for their excellent work in protecting the country and the people. Therefore, their health should be in perfect condition in order for them to continue with their good work," the PM's Secretary emphasised.

Anti-Filaria Campaign Director Ms. Tilaka Liyanage said "there is one thing you can do to save the next generation, that is to take treatment for filaria by using anti-filaria drugs".

Lion Graetian Gunawardhana said that the Lions had come forward to help in the fight to wipe out the filaria menace from the country.

Lion Gunawardhana explaining his future programmes said that a vocational training program for disabled soldiers will also be set up in the country and an eye camp will also be set up in Anuradhapura with the assistance of the public.

The Lions Club of Colombo Sommerset and Lions Club of Colombo Orient also assisted in organising the anti-filaria campaign with Lion Graetian Gunawardhena.

Past President Lion Rizvi Marikkar, Lion Tilarachchi of the Lions Club Orient, Cabinet Secretary Mahesh Pasqual and past president Dr. Fhami Ismail were also present.