Cooperation saves Corporal's infant

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: Lance Corporal J.A.S. Ranjith, serving with the Fifth Gemunu Watch in Point Pedro, received a call that his wife had given birth and the baby needed special emergency treatment costing Rs.44,000. The injection had to be given within hours if they were to save the baby's life.

In desperation , they immediately contacted the Presidential Secretariat for assistance, only to be told that the Director of the Public Affairs Section was also ill and in hospital. Their hopes were shattered. Soon after receiving the most wonderful news Ranjith wondered why they had to endure such grief. He was not able to think of a way to find the money within hours.

The baby was however, not so unlucky, as the person they wanted was accessible via his hand phone.

Directions were issued to the maternity ward of the Sri Jayawardenapura hospital to start the treatment pronto along with the assurance that the expenses would be looked after by them. A collection was arranged and staffers from the highest to the lowest at the PA unit needed little persuasion to dip their hands into their pockets. The child is now doing fine.