Peace Rally from September 19 to 21

Bernard Perera

The Peace Rally 2009 organised by the 4X4 Adventure Club along with the Sri Lanka Air Force is scheduled to be staged from September 19 to 21. The 4X4 Adventure has come forward to organize the event to raise funds for the Seva Vanitha Foundation of the Sri Lanka Air Force which is making an effort to help Government with the Nagenahira Udanaya which is taking place after the liberation of the Eastern Province. This was revealed at the Press briefing held at the Ceynor Hotel with Minister Susantha Punchinilame in the chair.

Dinesh Fernando President 4X4 Adventure Club addressing the media to explain the details on the Rally said the Rally will be an exhibition rally with over 40 vehicles starting off from Colombo. The drivers go through Avissawella, Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Embilipitiya, Hambanota, Tissamaharama and proceed to Arugambay to end the day.

On arrival they have organized a seminar to educate the younger generation on basic needs to find employment which they were lacking due to the war situation.

He also added that the drivers and others who are making this tour too will get an opportunity get an idea of the needs of the people of the Eastern Province while on tour.

The people of south did not get the opportunity to see the difficulties the masses underwent. This will also be a chance for them to gather the most wanted know how from the visitors whose theme is to give the best for all communities in the area forgetting the differences. He further added that John Keells Office Automation have come forward to sponsor the event which is considered as a community program.

The Adventure Club is sure that the sponsors too will be highly benefited as they get the chance to meet the people of the Eastern Province to support them by studying the possibility of giving proper market for their produce.

On the second day the drivers will drive to Trincomalee via many difficult roads where they will be given a grand welcome by the Nation Building Minister Susantha Punchinilame. Here too the party will do the same program for the benefit of the masses of Trincomalee. During their stay they will also visit many places of religious value and captured strongholds of the LTTE.

He said the Rally will also give an opportunity for them to show the people that the Eastern Province is an area that they could visit to see the beauty and the development that is taking place under various projects.

On the third day the Rally will return to Colombo via Anuradhapura, Puttalam and Negombo.

Minister said that this is a project that will give a helping to all communities in the region.

This area consist of all three communities and they are sure to benefit from this. He said The Air Force Played vital role in the Eastern Province during the Major operations in the Eastern Province. Soon after the end of the war Air Force took a keen interest in development work.

He thanked the Air Force Seva Vanitha Foundation and the sponsors for unstinted support extended for the program. He said that the people of the country should take every step to develop the country forgetting all differences.

There are many programs underway along with the Negenahira Udanaya to serve the masses who suffered for nearly three decades due to the ethnic conflict.

President of the Air Force Seva Vanitha Unit Nelum Goonetilleke addressing the media said that the funds generated will be used for purposes Airmen and their families, while doing so the Unit also took steps to serve the masses who need the support.

She said that it was the Air Force which under took to to develop a school in Morawewa while the war on.

The cost for the development of this school is estimated to be around 45 lakhs. The Unit also have identified three villages.

Anarnagar, Divulwewa and Namalwatte which needs lot of improvements. Our Unit has taken steps to attend to their need in every possible way. She thanked the sponsors John Keells for their commitment and coming forward to help at a time when it is highly essential. She requested other Private Sector Organizations also to make strong bid to engage in community development programs of this nature.

Sanjaya Dewaraja who represented the sponsors said that John Keells has been in the forefront to serve the masses at all times. This opportunity is given to us is one of the best and we hope to fulfill its intentions to the maximum and extended fullest co-operation in the future too.