Health Ministry Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardana receives eye lenses from the HelpAge Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge. Dr. Mrs.Champa Banagala and Consultant Eye Surgeon National Coordinator, Vision 2020 programme Dr. M.D.S Gunathillake and Consultant Eye Surgeon, Focal Point for Cataract, Vision 2020 Programme and HelpAge, Programme Head Chaminda de Silva are also in the picture  

The Ministry of Health recently received Rs. five million worth foldable Intra Ocular eye lenses from HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) to be distributed among government hospitals countrywide. 

According to a press release issued by Communication Manager –HelpAge Sri Lanka Ananda Kannangara Health Ministry Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardana accepted the eye lenses on behalf of the Health Ministry from the Executive Director HelpAge Sri Lanka Samantha Liyanawaduge. The lenses were donated following a request made by Ministry of Health’s Vision 2020 programme National Coordinator Consultant Eye Surgeon
Dr. Champa Banagala. 

Liyanawaduge said a recent survey has revealed that many Sri Lankan elders who need cataract surgeries are unable to undergo surgery at private hospitals due to the high cost and non-availability of lenses at Government hospitals.  

This prompted HelpAge to provide these lenses to needy patients through countrywide Government hospitals, so that they can undergo surgery at the nearest hospitals.

He added that HelpAge also conducts about 15 to 20 free cataract surgeries almost every day at HelpAge Eye Hospital, Wellawatta , Colombo 6  for people aged over 55.

Dr. Gunawardana highly valued the donation and said that these lenses will be sent to countrywide hospitals in due course to expand the cataract surgery programme for disadvantaged older people.