The Ceylon Optometric Association was established in the year 1961 in the then colonial Ceylon under the leadership of Mr.Hector F.C Fernando as president. Thereafter, from the year 1962 onwards the mantle of leadership was passed on to Mr.Eric Rajapakse, Mr.D.L.F Pedris, and Mr.Albert Edirisinghe respectively.
In 1985 with Mr.Ruparatne Wijetunga being appointed as president of the association a new constitution was drawn up with the adaption of the revised name of Sri Lanka Optometric Association. From Mr.Ruparatne Wijethunga the mantle of leadership and the post of president were passed onto Mr.Gamini Edirisinghe, Mr.C.M Vasa, Mrs.Mangalika Samarakoon, Mr.Rohan Rajapakse, Mrs.Elizabeth Perera, Mr.S.D Gunasekera and Mr.Sarath Weeraratne. During this period emphasis was given to Optometric education and fellowship amongst members which resulted in the in the association achieving a very high standard.
These high standards were recognized and rewarded by the international optometric community with membership being granted to the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO) in 1985 and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) in 1986. The association continues the membership in both these organizations to date. Mr.Gamini Edirisinghe served as the president of the APCO from 1991 to 1995 and as a member of the executive committee from 2005 to 2009. In the year 1988 the first register of the association was published and this register is published annually to date.
In 1996 the association was registered with the Registrar of Companies and received the registration No.GA25. Since then the chairmanship of the association was held by Opt.Sarath Weeraratne, Opt.Ratnayaka, Opt.Douglas Wijetunga, Opt.Nissanka Dissanayaka, Opt.M.H.C.J Ian, Opt.Nalin Malalgoda, Opt.Shyamali Kodagoda, Opt.Renuka Dhatabaya, Opt.H.H Rajakaruna, Opt.Gwen Gurusinghe, Opt.Raymond Subasinghe and Opt.Sandaka Lenagala. The current president if the association Is Opt.Suranjan De Silva.
Since 1986 application to the association is only accepted from those who have passed the basic/foundation course in Optometry which is conducted by the association. In 1996 the Diploma course in Optometry was initiated by the association. Since 2001 the prefix Optometrist (Opt.) can only be used by the members of the association. Associate and student members cannot use this prefix.
In continuing to update its membership in the most modern and latest developments in eye care the association has regular educational update sessions. Since 2007 the association has been conducting its annual scientific sessions with a host of eminent local and foreign speakers and many papers on relevant topics also being presented. The scientific sessions for the year 2010 will be held on the 22nd of August.
In the last 49 years the Sri Lanka Optometric Association and its members have done yeoman service to the population of Sri Lanka in its eye care needs and it continues to offer the best in primary eye care to the population. The services to the population is not restricted to the functions of the individual practices of the members but are continued in free eye and refraction camps, as well as the distribution of free quality guaranteed spectacles for the needy.
The association which is the oldest Optometric Association in Asia will celebrate its Golden Anniversary in 2011 and hopes to celebrate this momentous occasion in a fitting manner. |
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