[lynx42]

This is good news about the Ceylonise diggers. From Australian Associated Press. today.

Ceylon soldiers to march next Anzac DayAAP
April 26, 2010, 7:27 am


The Ceylon ex-Servicemen's Association of Australia will march again next Anzac Day, undeterred by a horrific accident that left six members injured after a truck ploughed into them at Sunday's parade, the group's president says.

Two Sri Lankan war veterans were seriously injured when a vintage military truck driven by a 64-year-old lurched out of control and struck them from behind, opposite the Arts Centre on St Kilda Road about 12.30pm (AEST) on Sunday.

The two men who were originally listed as critical are now in a stable condition.

Four other servicemen who were hit were also taken to hospital, along with the truck's shaken driver and a man on the back of the truck.

The men were all aged in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

Arden Perkins, the president of the Ceylon Ex-Servicemen's Association of Australia, said he was relieved the incident had not been worse.

He said those caught up in the incident were thankful for the people who came to the injured soldiers' aid.

"There's no blame to anybody and we'll all march again next year," Mr Perkins told AAP.

He said two injured members, Kenny Fernando and Ken Pietersz, had been released from hospital.

But Lionel Daniels, Anton Ludowyke, Maurice Gibson and Reg Oorloof remain in hospital, he said.

Mr Ludowyke had a chipped hip and Mr Gibson suffered injuries to his stomach. Both are recovering in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, he said.

Mr Oorloof, a former navy diver, suffered crushed ribs and head injuries from falling under the truck.

He remains in The Alfred hospital, Mr Perkins said.

"He'll survive, he's a navy diver, he's a very fit man," Mr Perkins said.

He said the Ceylon Ex-Servicemen's Association had been marching in the Anzac Day parade for 33 years.

Soldiers from Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, fought with the Anzacs at Gallipoli.

"There's a lot of history there so that's why we take Anzac Day so seriously," Mr Perkins said.

Regards Rick