Sri Lankan safe lamp project wins BBC World's World Challenge 09
07 Dec 2009
This Saturday, BBC World News will broadcasts the final programme of its popular World Challenge 09 series, announcing the 'safe bottle lamp project' as the winner.
The Sri Lankan initiative, pioneered by burns surgeon Dr Wijaya Godakumbura, produces inexpensive lamps from recycled glass as a solution to burn risks in developing countries.
Burns caused by makeshift kerosene lamps are a common problem in parts of Sri Lanka, where a fifth of the population has no access to electricity. These accidents often cause severe pain, scarring and sometimes even death.
To prevent these injuries Sri Lankan burns surgeon Dr Godakumbura designed a simple lamp using recycled glass, which can be easily mass produced at a low cost.
The 'safe bottle lamp project'will receive a $20,000 prize grant from Shell. Details will also appear in Newsweek magazine.
''Over the last five years, the unique projects featured in World Challenge have continued to amaze and inspire BBC World News viewers," says Paul Gibbs, head of programmes, BBC World News."The competition's ongoing success and popularity illustrates an unwavering interest globally in the field of sustainable development.''