My Friend Foundation partners with ‘Lifeworth – Save a Life’ project

State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa at the launch

From left: Harshani Jayakody, Fouzul Hameed, Julian Boling, Niroshan de Silva, and (extreme right) Asanka Nanayakkara

A life-saving demonstration in progress

Beach clean-up of the surroundings of the Kinross Club

It is said that an average of 1000 people die of drowning every year in Sri Lanka. It goes on record as being the second highest cause of death in this country.

Lifeworth is a project initiated jointly by Fouzul Hameed, Julian Bolling and Asanka Nanayakkara to create island wide awareness about the dangers of drowning and to parallely encourage safe swimming.

Lifeworth works hand in hand with the Rainbow Swimming Academy, Sri Lanka Life Saving Association and together with the My Friend Foundation.

The launch event was held recently at the Kinross Beach in Wellawatte under the distinguished patronage of State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa.

Also present were Chairman of the My Friend Foundation Fouzul Hameed, President of the Rainbow Swimming Academy Julian Bolling, President of the Sri Lanka Life Saving Association Asanka Nanayakkara, President of the Kinross Swimming and Life Saving Club Manada Yahampath, and several others including Bathiya Jayakody, Dr. Asha de Vos, etc.

Welcoming the initiative, Dr. Godahewa said that Sri Lanka has nearly 1,600 kms of beach front which was for everyone to use. “We need to protect our beaches and the people who use it and that’s where this initiative comes in useful. I’m happy to learn that this project will be extended to other beachfronts too. We all need to get together and work together for our country. That’s the vision of President Rajapakse too, to see people engaged in the running of the country.”

Addressing the gathering, Sri Lanka’s multiple medal winning swimmer and President of the Rainbow Swimming Academy Julian Bolling said that this initiative was long overdue. “We are happy to see many stakeholders joining us in this initiative to help save lives. The Kinross Club has said it wants to help young people of this area to learn how to swim. We want to make Wellawatte a model where one can enjoy nature while being safe swimming. We are extending this initiative not only to other coastal areas too but also to inland water bodies too, to make them safe.”

Chairman of the My Friend Foundation Fouzul Hameed said that this was a project very close to his heart. “I’m from Wellawatte and what better place to launch this project than at the legendary Kinross Club which has, for decades, been engaged in teaching swimming and lifesaving.”

Hameed also went on to thank all the stakeholders, both individuals and organisations who helped make this venture a reality.

President of the Sri Lanka Life Saving Association Asanka Nanayakkara said that Sri Lanka was possibly the only country in the world which has the safest waters for swimming all year long. “Tourists come to enjoy the outdoors which includes the beaches too, and not be confined to hotel rooms. Hence the need to promote safe swimming around the country.”

President of the Kinross Swimming and Life Saving Club Manada Yahampath also spoke about the importance of safe swimming and life-saving, and enumerated the yeoman service rendered by the Kinross Club over the years.

After the ceremonial launch of the project, the guests, invitees and members engaged in a beach clean-up of the surroundings of the Kinross Club. Everyone present was then invited to watch a very interesting and educative series of demonstrations conducted by lifeguards of the Sri Lanka Life Saving Club.