SLMANA distributes prosthetic limbs to physically handicapped in Sri Lanka

Opinion

NEW YORK – The Sri Lanka Medical Association North America (SLMANA Inc), which was established back in 1995 with the goal of accomplishing its Mission of funding health-related projects in Sr Lanka, has financed a multitude of projects throughout the island in collaboration with colleagues back home.

SLMANA President Dr Aruna Milinda Seneviratne said several generations of Sri Lankan-American doctors have worked diligently together to raise funds for these projects. “It is our way of showing gratitude to our motherland for the excellent education that we, and in some cases our parents, received in Sri Lanka.”

On SLMANA’s proposed plans he said: “We would be funding both the Kalutara & Killinochchi district hospitals with orthopedic equipment. We had a presentation on skype by the Orthopedic surgeon of Kalutara who highlighted the woefully inadequate equipment they have to serve a population of almost 2 million fellow Sri Lankan’s of meager means.”

Sri Lanka Medical Association North America, SLMANA Inc Charity Ball 2019

Ambassador Kshenuka Senewiratne , Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, with SLMANA Inc President Dr Aruna Milinda Seneviratne, left, and Dr Lasanta Horana

Last week, SLMANA held its biennial fund-raising charity ball at the Rooftop Ballroom of the Edison Hotel in New York. The event was preceded by Scientific Sessions in the morning with keynote speakers making presentations from Sri Lanka via live video conferencing.

This year Dr Jana Jayakumar of the Sri Lanka Orthopedic Association, SLOA, made an excellent and moving presentation . His topic: “How I survived as an Orthopedic Surgeon with Limited Resources in Rural Sri Lanka” .

The current SLMANA president Dr Seneviratne’s mother Dr Damayanthi Seneviratne née Nanayakkara, graduated from the Colombo Medical Faculty in 1968 and emigrated to USA .Although Milinda attended medical school in the US and is now a prominent orthopedic surgeon at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC, he visits Sri Lanka several times a year to do orthopedic procedures together with his local colleagues.

Dr Trikante Rajapaksa, Founder Member and President Elect, SLMANA Inc, said : “This year our focus is on Orthopedics. Working with SLOA, we have identified 10 district government hospitals that require basic orthopedic equipment. DGH Killinochi already received funds for an orthopedic drill. DGH Kalutara will receive funding next.
It is our sincere hope and pledge that SLMANA Inc will continue it’s Mission for generations to come with the enthusiasm and fervor that we have today”.