Several local celebrities including politicians, singers and cricketers took a dousing during the past few days in the name of raising funds for various charities by being part of the Ice Bucket Challenge that has taken up the online sphere by storm. 

 

Among the local celebrities who have participated in the challenge and posted the videos so far includes Otara Gunawardena, Iraj Weeraratne, Bathiya Jayakody, Hirunika Premachandra, Malsha Kumaratunga, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara. 

 

However, most in this list did not take an actual dousing of ice water and instead used alternatives such as rain water and pool water in order to avoid wastage. Mahela and Kumar meanwhile took the dousing in the ice bath that is used for recovery of sports injuries in order to save water. 

 

“Challenge from Otara Gunewardene to both Kumar Sangakkara and I accepted! I’ll be making a donation to the ALS ‪#‎ALSIceBucketChallenge‬. I think it would be nice to see Angelo Mathews, Michael Clarke and Rahul Dravid join in the fun so I in turn set out the challenge to them,” Mahela posted on his facebook with the video.

 

Sagakkara nominated cricketers Virat Kohli, Dale Steyn, Adam Gilchrist.

 

Some of these celebrities have also challenged interesting personalities to take the campaign forward to which includes Malsha’s nomination of the President and Minister Mervyn Silva and Hirunikas nomination of JVP politburo member K. D. Lal Kantha. Most of the funds raised by these celebrities have been donated to local charities involved with animal rights and welfare. 

 

The Ice Bucket Challenge that kick started on July 15 dares the participants to be filmed while having a bucket of ice water poured on them. As per the terms of the challenge, each participant has to nominate three more names to take up the campaign and those nominated should take up the challenge within the next 24 hours or forfeit by donating funds to charity. Among the celebrities who have taken a dousing for the cause worldwide includes countless celebrities - Justin Bieber, Iggy Azalea, Chris Pratt and Lady Gaga.(LP)