WNL Welfare Society gives helping hand

He went after much uncertainty, selling 35 bushels of paddy for a pittance, he ran and he triumphed. Eighty-seven-year-old Wissahapurage Jamis, a humble farmer from Udawela, in Balangoda bagged three golds and two silvers at the Asian Athletic Championship held in Bangalore from November 14-19.

Picture shows WNL Welfare Society Treasurer Lakshman Wannaku (second from left) handing over the cheque to Mr. Weheregoda, while Committee Member Champika Thushara (far left) and Secretary H. Sumathipala (third from left) look on.

But he returned to Sri Lanka with a heavy heart. For although some generous people responded to an article titled 'At 87, all he wants is to run' (The Sunday Times, October 22, 2006) highlighting his plight in finding funding to take him to the championships in India, he was still in debt. It was then that the Welfare Society of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., stepped in and presented a cheque for Rs. 40,000 to Jamis's son, W. Nimal Weheragoda, to pay off their debts.

"The family is thankful to everyone who extended a helping hand, especially the Welfare Society of Wijeya," said Mr. Weheragoda accepting the cheque on behalf of Jamis who won gold for the 200-metre and 400-metre races and also the putt shot and silvers for the 100-metres and the five-km walking race at the Asian Athletic Championships.