Disabled war heroes support President

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Two disabled soldiers who lost their limbs at the battlefront on behalf of their motherland have commenced a peace march from Matara to Colombo extending their support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa towards his moves taken to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lankan soil. The two war heroes, Indika Damith who has lost both legs and Geethadewa Caldera Dissasekera who lost one leg in the battlefield commenced their march from the Matara town to Colombo on January 12.

They reached Galle on January 13, Ambalangoda on January 14 and Aluthgama on January 15.

The two war heroes commenced their march from Kalutara yesterday and are expected to reach Temple Trees today and meet the President to convey their message.

Though they can't walk, the two war heroes had decided to come to Colombo and convey their message to the President who rescued the nation from the clutches of LTTE terrorism.

The two disabled soldiers are using two wheelchairs for the march.

But Indika who lost both his legs had come from Matara to Galle (nearly 44 kilometres) using two artificial limbs. Those who witnessed this march were in tears.

During their journey to Colombo, rousing receptions were accorded to the two disabled soldiers by a large number of patriotic people who flocked to major towns to extend their support to them.

The bhikkhus had invoked their blessings when the two war heroes passed their temples.

In addition, a large number of disabled and retired soldiers also joined hands to extend their support to the two war heroes.

The two war heroes said that the President with the great support extended by the Armed Forces could end the war within a very short period and safeguard the motherland without betraying the great sacrifice made by the war heroes.

"Therefore, they have decided to extend their gratitude to the President as the great victory achieved by the motherland cannot be turned back due to attempts made by certain elements to gain their narrow political objectives," a spokesman said.