SEENI COLOMBO COMPLETES STEPS AGAINST DIABETES AND HANDS OVER FUNDS TO PAA SAVIYA.

Professor Mandika Wijeratne, Dr. Thushan Gooneratne, Dr. Thushitha Kahaduwa, and the team are at the UCFM Tower, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in Maradana. Pramudith Thenabadu from Pekoe Trail is also present, as are the primary sponsors, Asia Asset Finance and Domex.

Seeni Colombo successfully completed its Steps Against Diabetes initiative by walking the full 330 km of the Pekoe Trail from 22 July to 15 August last year. This walk raised essential funds for Paa Saviya, a project under the Colombo Medical Faculty that provides subsidised limb salvage and diabetes wound care treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo. The funds will support subsidised treatments and the development of specialised diabetic footwear for patients at the Paa Saviya Woundcare Unit.

“Our heartfelt thanks to the Seeni Colombo team, Dushan Pieris, Mario De Soyza, and Ransley Burrows, for their commitment to generating vital funding for limb salvage, foot, and wound care for diabetic patients,” said Prof. Mandika Wijeratne, Chairperson of Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.

The Steps Against Diabetes initiative was made possible by the invaluable support of partners Asia Asset Finance, Domex, and Nations Trust Bank, along with contributions from the public. All funds were transparently managed, audited, and transferred to Paa Saviya. Donors could track the project’s progress and fund utilisation through updates on Instagram.

The Pekoe Trail, an internationally acclaimed long-distance walking route through Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, provided the backdrop for this impactful journey. The Seeni Colombo team began their walk on 22nd July at Pedro Estate in Nuwara Eliya and finished it on 15th August in Hanthane. The management of the Pekoe Trail offered essential guidance and support throughout the 25-day trek.

Steps Against Diabetes is a long-term project to address the high prevalence of diabetes in Sri Lanka. For more information or to contribute, contact 0777824077 or email ransley@seenicolombo.com. Follow the journey and updates on Instagram at @Stepslk.