27th July 1997

They all ran for a cause

SLANA Health Run

Last Sunday, the 8th National Health Run organised by the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association (SLANA) was flagged off ceremoniously by four outstanding cricketers of the Sri Lankan team, Sanath Jayasuriya, the master blaster himself, Marvan Attapattu, Upul Chandana and Kumara Dharmasena.

Sanath Jayasuriya flags off the run
The four cricketers, representing the World Cup champions, felt a need to create an awareness of the increasing drug problem and supported the campaign against the use of drugs in Sri Lanka by presenting themselves at the Galle Face Green early on Sunday morning, joining the crowds ready for the start of the race. Much to the delight of the crowd who had in previous years had enjoyed the sight of beautiful Miss Worlds Aishwarya Rai and Jacqueline Aguilera flagging off the race, this year it was the very popular ‘Master Blaster’ Sanath himself who did the honours. He gave the sign to start the run and as hundreds pressed forward, the run against drugs began.

Ranjith Sirisena: had the courage in running alone.
One of the outstanding features at this year’s run was that there were many who took part regardless of the fact that there was no category to which they belonged. This year, there was no wheel chair event or a category for the disabled, but a former soldier, Ranjith Sirisena, who had been injured in the battlefront, and has only one foot was not deterred. "What was important to me was not whether there were others running but that I ran, so I took courage in running alone," he said. He set a record in being the first and the only disabled Sri Lankan to run 14 kilo meters at a stretch.

In the family category although a number of families registered for the category, according to the organizers only one family turned up at the run. The family consisting of three members, R.A. Chandradasa, K.G.G. Menike, and their son, R. A. Chaminda said that they as a family wanted to join the event. The family has won several medals at the earlier SLANA runs as well. Likewise there were many sporty competitors who participated to support the theme of the run and for healthy competition.

Little boys and girls too show their fullest cooperation in for the couse. Photographs by Dunstan Wickrameratne and K. G. Chinthaka
The run was enthusiastically encouraged by an abundance of volunteers and the support of many teenagers, was a pleasing sight. Teenagers helped out those elderly runners at the finishing line but there were many elderly participants who seemed stronger than many of the young ones who took part. Among such people were G. K. David (59) and P. Saraswathy (55). Mr. David who had come all the way from Trincomalee to take part in the run said that he completed the entire distance and felt fantastic about being able to participate to set an example to the younger generations in showing the importance of good health and to support this just cause. Ms. Saraswathy who had been the All Ceylon Champion many years ago while she was living in Jaffna said that she was proud to be a part of the run.

Among the many volunteers at the run were those from the ENSEF Buddhist school from Mulleriyawa, who joined in with the police at the cultural show in entertaining the crowds gathered at the run. The Galle Face Green was lightened by the laughter and presence of the spectators and the good sportsmanship of the competitors. Sad to say though, that none of the professional athletes took part at the event in support of the cause.

The runners returned to the Galle Face Green at around 9.30 a.m. after the long run which started at 7.30 a.m. The police played a very important role in the run in providing security to the runners and guiding them and controlling the traffic in such a way that the motorists were not inconvenienced.

The cultural show organised by the police proved as successful as the run itself. From Kandyan rhythms to modern day jokes, dancers and songs were presented by the police officers and those of the ENSEF school. Amidst other entertainment was a dog show where the police dogs displayed how they detect drugs and other illegal and harmful substances. This was done by the police investigative section, which proved to be of much interest to the crowds gathered.

Among the guests was the Deputy Mayor of Colombo, Omar Kamil, who handed over the prizes to the winners.

The winners are as follows:

Open event (Women): D.H. Mangala Priyadharshini, Damayanthi Edirisinghe, Sujeewa Sherome Premerathna. (Male) M.R.Sumeth Kumara, J.A. Lasantha Pradeep, H.A.A. Rohan Stanly.

National Event: (Men): J.M.Sunil Jayaweera, R.M.R. Ramanayaka, A.A. Nishantha Dayasiri.

(Women) W.M.Irin, and W.A.D Mallika Chandrakanthi. The third place was not awarded.

Under 10 event, (Girls): Venuska Chameni Kuruppuarachchi, R.R.D. Hasini Wathsala, Nirasha Hansamalee Jayasinghe.

In the family category, the R. A. Chandradasa family emerged the winners while Ranjith Sirisena was given a special award.

Short Circuit event, under 15 (Girls): Chathurangani De Silva, H.M.K.G. Kumuduni Senevirathna, S.K. Chamila Kumari Fernando. (Boys) Wedipulli Mudiyanselage Prasad Asanka Kumara, D. Disapala. Dissanayaka, and Mahesh Ilma Peruma.

Over 50 category, (Women): Mallika. Satchithananda and Ponnampalawanam Saraswathy. The third place was not awarded.

(Men): P.Pinnagodage, Henegedara Adwin and S.Nagalingam.

The organizers of the health run thanked all participants for their sportsmanship and participation. "If there was no cricket match on the day there would have been a larger crowd at the event. Although the number of applicants this year has increased the total participation on the day of the run has proved to be the same as last year," they said. Unfortunately due to the lack of sponsors this year, they were unable to provide milk or any other refreshment at the end of the race as on other occasions.

Yet for the many who made the effort of participation, there was always the satisfaction of having contributed to a worthy and most urgent cause, that of fighting the evil of drug abuse. The run was co- sponsored by the Police Narcotics Association and The Sunday Times and Lankadeepa.

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