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Handicapped soldier sets off from Dondra to Point Pedro on wheelchair
View(s):The Sri Lanka Army’s top brass including its Commander, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayaka were at Dondra Point, the southern most tip of Sri Lanka, on Monday morning to cheer on disabled war hero Corporal P. K. G. G. Karunarathna who set off by wheelchair to traverse the length of Sri Lanka to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Corporal Karunarathna joined the Sri Lanka Army in September 2007 and served in the Gajaba Regiment. He was wounded during the government forces humanitarian operation in the last stages of the war, resulting in both legs being amputated. He is now an inmate of Abimansala III.
Corporal Karunarathna hopes to complete the gruelling 581 kilometre stretch and reach Point Pedro on Tuesday (11).
Corporal Karunaratne’s Itinerary includes Dec 3. Dondra Point to Ambalangoda ( 84 km), Dec 4 – Ambalangoda to Rathmalana (73 km) , Dec 5 – Rathmalana to Giriulla ( 75 km) , Dec 6 – Giriulla to Abanpola (78 km), Dec 7. – Abanpola to Anuradhapura ( 62 km), Dec 8. – Rest day, Dec 9.
Anuradhapura to Puliyankulam (75 km), Dec 10.- Puliyankulam to Iyakkachchi (75 km) and Dec 11 Iyakkachchi to Point Pedro ( 59 km).
Text by P.A. De Silva
Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk