Doing something from the heart

Trail Ambassadors Bathiya & Santhush produce theme song for Trail SL 2016

Monday, 17^th October 2016, COLOMBO; Although being known as two of Sri Lanka’s most innovative music personalities of this generation, Bathiya & Santhush, who have now gained their fair share of fame and popularity, still remain true to their roots. Today, they are working in collaboration with Nathan Sivagananathan and Sarinda Unamboowe, founders of Trail, in an effort to bring together communities across Sri Lanka and collectively drive the nation’s fight against cancer. Still maintaining that their music is only something they do out of passion, B & S have signed up as Ambassadors for Trail, producing the theme song for the initiative which carries a message of unity and understanding for the people of Sri Lanka, motivating them to raise funds in aid of cancer treatment.

The previous Trail initiative, which took place back in 2011, saw the establishment of the Tellippalai Trail Cancer Hospital in Jaffna. Fully functional and furnished with cutting edge equipment, the hospital has treated over 4,500 patients since opening its doors in 2014. “We have been observing their progress since 2011 and were glad to see the end result. Unfortunately, due to our commitments on an international stage at the time, we couldn’t be a part of Trail in 2011. So when we were called to be a part of it this year, we jumped at the opportunity. It’s a no-strings-attached commitment and therefore it feels like we are doing something from the heart,” says Bathiya and Santhush.

When asked as to why they wanted to be involved with this project, he explained that, “This is a genuine project spearheaded by two individuals with no corporate label to it. And we have observed that whatever that is done, be it a fundraising activity or the walk itself, it is always a collective effort. It’s not just another project where people give and go away. Everyone is involved. And the model is such that everyone has to get involved. So we wanted to be involved ourselves, and as musicians, saw this as an opportunity for us to use our resources to give back to our society.”

The theme song for Trail Sri Lanka 2016 was launched at a media event held a few months back. “It’s a song which has been brought to life by the collective effort of many creative individuals in the Sri Lankan music sphere,” said Bathiya and Santhush. The song, titled “Trail for a Life”, is composed by Mahesh Denepitiya, while the lyricists include Ravi Barnes (English), Ajith Nishantha (Sinhala) and T.G. Balendran for Tamil lyrics, and is sung by Bathiya, Santhush, Umaria and Chandru Rajasooriyar. It has now been uploaded to the servers of all mobile phone operators in the island and is available to be downloaded as a ringin tone or direct from iTunes. Downloading the ringin tone makes one a contributor to Trail as proceeds are donated to the initiative.

Apart from the song, the duo also produced a concert in order to raise funds for the event. “On request by MAS Holdings, we came together and produced a successful concert a few weeks back. We are ecstatic about the generosity we see from our fans,” he said, adding that “apart from that we plan to walk. We will be announcing where we will be joining the walk very soon on Facebook.”

As Ambassadors of Trail 2016, B&S feels that the impact the initiative has on the nation’s fight against cancer is immeasurable. “All of us get sick but only a few of us have the privilege and the financial capacity to receive the treatment we desire. 90% of our people don’t have that privilege. But what that 90% feels when they get terminally ill, be it cancer or any other disease, is the same as you and me. We are all put on this earth for a purpose, and I believe that we all have to do our part. Although many of us do fulfil our part in so many different ways, the battle against cancer is a very critical matter. Sri Lanka needs it right now. I don’t think areas such as Galle or Jaffna have had cancer treatment centres. And maybe next we should look at the east or the central province. If we can do this, it will give a lot of people, both young and old, a big chance for proper treatment and recovery; but most importantly, it will give them hope.”

Trail 2016 will cover a distance of 670km over 28 consecutive days from October 6th to November 2nd 2016. Walkers can commit to walk the whole distance, part of the way or become a virtual walker depending on their ability. Walkers began their journey at Point Pedro and will walk to Dondra Head in order to raise funds towards a new cancer unit for the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. The hospital sees patients coming not only from the southern districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota but also from areas as far as Badulla and Kalutara. Catering to a population of nearly 6 million in the south, one of the biggest obstacles faced by the hospital is the overcrowding of all units. The number of in-ward patients receiving chemotherapy and palliative care on any given day is over 200 – although there is only a bed strength of 135. The proposed building will give patients more ward space and other facilities including counselling rooms, rehabilitation and recreation facilities as well as new radiology and pathology labs.

“So I urge all people to join hands. Come join us on the walk even for a small distance. You could also participate as a virtual walker just by donating whatever amount you can afford. A contribution of USD 1 (LKR 150) will make a huge difference. When you see their stories it will really motivate you and give you the real picture of what our people are going through,” states Bathiya and Santhush in conclusion. Members of the public can donate to the cause via Dialog text, star points or eZ Cash, via MobitelmCash or through bank transfer and other ways, all listed at the charity’s official website www.trailsl.com.

Further, the ringin tones could be downloaded by dialling 87520425 Dialog, 74727285 Mobitel, 8880066951 Airtel and 351208 Hutch.