The Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust is redoubling its efforts to help fit artificial limbs to the large number of servicemen who have lost their limbs to landmines in the brutal war that continues without respite.

Over 5,000 young men, most of them boys barely out of their teens have been crippled by landmines and the Trust, which is an Approved Charity to which tax deductible contributions may be made, is seeking to help as many of them as possible.

Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa, the Chairperson of the Trust, is writing to the country's business leaders for support. But contributions from ordinary people, however modest, are most welcome and will be gratefully received, a spokesman for the Trust said. Upali Newspapers will acknowledge all contributions made in the columns of its newspapers.

The Trust helped the Upali Group of companies and its employees to identify 25 landmine victims who have already been fitted with prostheses. Young men who came on crutches were able to walk normally after they were fitted. "I only wish my parents were here to share the joy of this moment,'' one young soldier said as he walked after his fitting.

The Trust has linked with two suppliers of the best quality artificial limbs. One is a German owned factory located here and the other is a branch of a British company supplying prostheses to landmine victims in Cambodia.

Mrs. Lali Kobbkaduwa is the Chairperson of the Trust whose other members are Messrs. Chandra Wijenaike, Faiz Mustapha, James Mather and Kavan Rambukwella. All cheques should be crossed and made in favour of the Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust and sent to Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa, Chairperson, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust, 52/1 Rosmead Place, Colombo-7.