SriLankan pilots give a hand to handicapped soldier

A group of SriLankan airline pilots has started a fund to help handicapped ex-soldier A. Ratnayake, whose marriage to ex-national athlete K. Kumudulatha in Mihintale was spotlighted in The Sunday Times and Lankadeepa last week.

A spokesman for the group said they decided to launch this fund not only to assist Mr. Ratnayake and his wife but also to encourage other young women to take a similar step.

He said the pilots had already raised Rs.100,000 and had banked the money in an account opened at the Mihintale branch of the Bank of Ceylon . Those who wish to contribute could do so to Ac No. 5027914.

Mr. Ratnayake who lost his sight and both hands to a pressure mine in Mullaitivu in 1991 married Kumudilatha last week and instead of signing his name in front of the registrar of marriages he placed his toe imprint.