(December 10, Colombo - Lanka Polity)Wijaya Godakumbura' a Sri Lankan physician inspired by the deaths and mutilation of people by burns caused by unsafe kerosene lamps ran a safe bottle lamp project to win an international award for its excellence although none of Sri Lanka government, civil society and media focussed attention to him so far.The news regarding Godakumbura's award will also be hidden from public in Sri Lanka where press is strictly controlled by the ruling regime. However, the safe bottle lamp that does not break and spill out kerosene will save more lives in unelectrified rural areas of the country..
World Challenge '09 organized by BBC has been announced after receiving over 900 nominations and a record breaking 127,800 votes from around the world.
Safe Bottle Lamp Project, from Sri Lanka, received the first prize of US$20,000 at a special ceremony held at The Hague. The 2 runners-up were also present and received US$10,000 each. They are Danamon Go-Green, form Indonesia and BTTR Ventures, from the USA.
Achim Steiner - Executive Director of UNEP was the guest speaker at this year’s ceremony. In his engaging speech he commented on the challenges facing this month’s Climate Change summit in Copenhagen and welcomed the winners of this year’s competition.
