Trail - every kilometer adds a penny

Uvindu ILLEPERUMA

Trail, a journey from Point of Dondra to Point Pedro, Jaffna got its head start on July 1 from Dondra with the sole objective of raising funds to build a paediatric cancer ward for the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Trail, under the theme 'A journey by the living, for life' is organized by the Colours of Courage Trust. Colours of Courage Trust is a non profit body which is committed to uplifting cancer treatment facilities in Sri Lanka, a responsibility which cannot be shouldered only by the government. Sharing the responsibility of enhancing cancer treatment facilities on behalf of the country while cushioning the burden on the government regarding health sector should be met with applause of the sole nation.

Why cancer treatment facilities must be upheld is because cancer diseases once being the killer No 5 now emerges the killer No 3 disease which is a horrible plight our country now experiences. No soothsayer is needed to say that cancers will become the killer No1 disease in Sri Lanka within a shorter period of time.

The most reliable reasons for this anathema are that people are divorced from the nature which already made a dent in man's immunity for diseases.

Having junk foods and artificial food stuffs stands is another reason for cancers. Air pollution which is the wolf at the modern man's doors seems to be the other nearest reason that brings in plethora of ills jeopardizing the human existence.

The degeneration of the health of a nation is one of the major set backs to nation. It out rightly jolts the economy of the country since the government has to spend on health despite the many social woes which demand government attention.

Since the private sector's contribution for the uplift of health sector is a sine quo none if the country is looking forward to a prosperous future. Trail which is sponsored by mammoth business bodies like MAS Holdings and Mobitel should be praised since their effort is to cater to a national demand which is too much costly.

Gracing the occasion as the chief guest Dondra MP and Tharunyata Hetak President Namal Rajapaksha said, 'we are very happy that the Corporate sector of this country is sharing the government's responsibility over welfare needs of the country. Since the government is not capable to meet the every welfare need of the people to the latter, the participation of the corporate sector in this regard is a timely approach. We know MAS Holdings has registered their credit worldwide.'

"We are happy that MAS Holdings is a prospective organization of Sri Lanka and represents Sri Lanka in trading has taken vanguard in this endeavor. What made me happy the most is the fact that they are going to build the cancer ward at Jaffna Teaching Hospital. In fact, those people who were battered by the war should feel the light of development forthwith. The message we are carrying with this walk is that we, the people of south are caring about the people who have being battered by the three decade war should be met with international recognition. I should appreciate Dian Gomes, a Trustee of Colors of Courage and Group Director of MAS Holdings for his untiring commitment which led this en devour end up in a success," MP Namal further added.

"Today I am very proud to start this walk from the Southern tip of the country for a national cause. We should give our full contribution for the government. Today we see the country is coming together for children. People from various, social ethnic and religious backgrounds are supporting one cause, standing together in faith that nothing is impossible," Dian Gomes said.

Trail, a 27 day walk that will finish in Jaffna is expected to raise Rs. 200 million.

Trail will cover a distance of 25-30 kilo meters per day. The total distance of the Trail is 670 km. The Trail expects to reach Point Pedro, Jaffna on July 27.