1 July 2017 12:00 am Views - 1611
As in the past, CIC Holdings partnered with the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) to sponsor SLMA Health Run & Walk – 2017 that had a participation of nearly 3000 health conscious individuals.
The annual event was organised by the SLMA and the Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists in collaboration with four ministries including the Health, Environment, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs as well as Education Ministries.
This year’s event was held at the BMICH, under the theme ‘Clean Air for Healthy Living’, aiming to stress on the importance of raising awareness on environmental consciousness and proper waste disposal.
Environmental pollution is one of the leading causes for non-communicable diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). With respiratory diseases on the rise, it is imperative to sustain clean livable environments for
healthy living.
Furthermore, the event also coincides with Anti-tobacco Day, World Asthma Day as well as the World Environment Day.
Medical Professionals and students, school Interact Club members, Rotoract club members, members of the Tri-forces, individuals from the corporate sector, ministry officials, employees from private hospitals, fitness and running groups like Colombo City Running participated in the two separation sessions for running and walking.
Everest climbers Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peries, former Cricket Captain Roshan Mahanama, champion racer Dilantha Malagamuwa were among the luminaries who graced the event.
The T-shirts for the event participants were provided by courtesy of Brandix Lanka Ltd.
An award ceremony for 100 winners of a children’s art competition was held at the BMICH premises on the same day, where the winning children and their parents were invited to participate in the ceremony. The winners received prizes and certificates attested by the Education Ministerial Secretary, Women and Child Affairs Ministerial Secretary and SLMA President.
An exhibition was also held to showcase the 100 winning entries. Following the ceremony, the children also engaged in fun-filled activities at the Kids Zone, conducted by popular children’s author Samanmali Padmakumara.
Expressing her thoughts on the art competition and the award ceremony, a parent - A.J. ThilokaLakmini said, “I’m sincerely grateful for the opportunity given to my son to participate in the children’s art competition and also win prizes. At a time when we were deeply devastated after losing our house and all belongings to the floods, we’re very touched and happy to have been invited for such an event for the first time. My son Damsara Anathimana and I had a truly wonderful time.”
The participants of the SLMA Health Run & Walk had the privilege of not only savouring milkrice prepared exclusively from CIC Golden Crop Fragrant Red Basmati, but also received a 300g special pack of the same rice variant. They also had the opportunity to revel in the popular yoghurt Creamoo and Link Samahan.
The Health Run & Walk is an annual event organised by the SLMA – the country’s national professional medical body. Founded in 1887, the association assembles medical practitioners of all grades attached to all branches of medicine and creates a sustainable forum to support professional and academic development of its members.