The annual walk organised by the Sri Lanka Cancer Society under the theme ‘Walk for Gold’ to encourage Sri Lankans on cancer awareness will begin at 8 a.m. on September 25 (Sunday) from British School premises, Colombo.
The one-hour walk will be held with the participation of a large number of young and old people and will end at 9 a.m. near the Shalika Grounds, Narahenpita.
The SLCS expects the participation of a large number of Sri Lankans and foreign nationals holidaying in Sri Lanka at this annual walk, conducted to coincide with the pediatric cancer awareness month of September.
Speaking to the Daily News, SLCS, Public Education Committee Chairperson Nedra Hewawitharana requests the participants to wear yellow/gold attire at the walk.
She said the objective of creating the awareness of cancer among people such as refraining from smoking, consuming alcohol, betel and eating unhealthy GM foods etc which could be some of the main causes for cancer.
Meanwhile, Founder Cancer Association of Sri Lanka and National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa congratulated the SLCS for their cancer awareness programmes. He also said smoking causes nearly 60 deaths in Sri Lanka every day while 55–60 alcohol related deaths are also reported.
“Approximately 40,000 deaths are reported in Sri Lanka every year due to tobacco and alcohol use,” he said.
Speaking on smokeless tobacco Dr. Rajapaksa said tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco and alcohol are harmful and they are cancer causing components.
He further said when considering the economic impact of tobacco, huge amounts are spent by Sri Lankans on tobacco and alcohol use every day which is a huge burden on the country.
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