Salvation Army conducted a media launch titled ‘The launch of the Annual Appeal’ and to promote their project ‘Endless Hope’ at the ‘Salvation Army’ office in Colombo 2 on October 22. Some of the celebrities at the event from left: Renato Motha, Falan Andrea, Chaminda Vaas, Shenal Nissanka and Piyal Perera  (Pictures by Waruna Wanniarachchi)

Famous people do help, and their influence extends far beyond mere popularity. They have joined hands to support poor families and far-reaching projects conducted nationwide by the Salvation Army. This project was named ‘Endless Hope’; details of which were given to representatives of the media at an event titled ‘The launch of the Annual Appeal’ and held at the ‘Salvation Army’ office in Colombo 2 on October 22.

The Salvation Army has invested in the livelihoods of Sri Lankans for 141 years since 1883. This institution has helped to build strong foundations and futures for youth, children and families. The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka advocates projects that improve the lives of thousands of individuals in need across the country.

Falan Andrea

Dhananjaya de Silva

Sri Lanka’s cricket stars, former captain Dimuth Karunaratne and present skipper Dhananjaya de Silva have thrown their weight behind the Care 100 project. “It’s that quality of food given in childhood that makes for a healthy nation of adults. This nutrition programme is one that we really want to support as a family, as child nutrition is imperative for Sri Lanka’s future generations,” said Dhananjaya de Silva, the Current National Cricket Captain. His family also supports the Healthy Kids project.

Chaminda Vaas, the record-breaking bowler, has joined the project on ‘Empowering Families’.  Singer Falan Andrea associated herself with the ‘Super Star She’ programme. “I’m thrilled to champion the ‘Super Star She’ project to empower women from difficult backgrounds and groom them to be women of worth and be the superstar women they really are,” Andrea said.

Piyal Perera, the leader of the Gypsies band and his son Shenal Nissanka champion the ‘Clean Water for Life’ project. The project aims at establishing safe water wells and is working towards reducing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) cases in the country. “People in Polonnaruwa openly say that since a well was built in their village there have been no new instances of CKD; which means this project continues to benefit thousands,” exclaimed Perera. The ‘No drug project’ was championed by the actress Rashiprabha Sandeepani and musician Renato Motha.

The Salvation Army has been actively engaged in constructing safe water wells and implementing livelihood development programmes in the North Central Province. Officials have reported that they are providing community education and nutrition programmes for 16 of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable communities. The Salvation Army is a charitable organization and is among one of the world’s largest charities operating in 134 countries. The organization began its work in Pettah in 1883. It now carries out operations from its headquarters and has spread its wings in 70 destinations throughout all nine provinces. Donations can be posted or delivered to The Salvation Army, 53 Sir James Peiris Mawatha (PO Box 193), Colombo 2.