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SLCOMM elects office-bearers

The Inaugural general meeting of the Sri Lanka College of Military Medicine (SLCOMM) was held at Renuka City Hotel recently. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Karunasena Hettiarachchi was the Chief Guest and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal K. A. Gunatilleke was Guest of Honour.

Rear Admiral N.E.L.W. Jayasekera was inducted as SLCOMM's Founder President, nine office-bearers and nine council members were also elected uncontested to the executive committee. Senior-most retired officer present at the forum, Major General C Thurairajah (Rtd) was elected patron of the College.

The founder- president spoke of the five eras of history related to military medicine in Sri Lanka from the time of the Kings to the present day and events leading to the formation of the College. The Secretary of Defence outlined how engineering contributed to the field of medicine. The Chief of Defence Staff unveiled the SLCOMM website, www.slcomm.org

They are:President elect-Major General S.H. Munasinghe, Vice President- Group Captain L.R. Jayaweera, Secretary - Commander M Wijenayake, Assistant Secretaries- Lieut. Colonel S.L.S. Kumarage and Wing Commander B.R. Booso, Treasurer- Lieut. Commander H.A. Rathnakeerthi, Assistant Treasurer - Wing Commander P.V.B. Dissanayake and editor- Lieut. Colonel Ayendra Balasuriya.

The nine Council Members are Brig. E.G. Jayakody, Brig. K.P. Sumanapala, Brig. A.S.M. Wijewardena, Air Commodore P.D.A. Maristella, Captain R.P.N.N. Wijedoru, Captain A.H. Mullegama, Group Captain J.P.W. Jayawickrama, Lieut. Commander R.M.S.K. Rajapaksha and Squadron Leader H.C.N. Gajaweera. Military Medicine is a medical speciality related to occupational medicine meeting the needs of soldiers, sailors, airmen and other service members. This discipline is involved with the ergonomics and health effects of operating military-specific machines and equipment such as submarines, tanks, helicopters and airplanes in addition to normal combat medicine

HelpAge ties up with Freemasons for free cataract surgeries

The Robert Coleridge Scott Lodge (RCSL)- Masonic Lodge in Sri Lanka recently tied up with HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) to conduct free cataract surgeries for needy senior citizens. The surgeries are conducted at HelpAge Eye Hospital, Wellawatte

RCSL which celebrated its golden jubilee a few years ago, donated Rs.170,000 towards this cause.

Members of RCSL regularly meet at the Victoria Masonic Temple at Galle Face, Colombo 3. The Masonic Temple is a historic building from the colonial era.

RCSL is a vibrant English lodge in Sri Lanka under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England. English Freemasons worldwide will also celebrate their tercentenary in 2017.

Vajira Kulasinghe praised HelpAge for helping needy senior citizens during the past three decades.

HelpAge, manager Special Projects Russell Juriansz said they also assist elders over 55 to have medical and eye care needs.

HelpAge is using the funds to conduct cataract surgeries, medical and eye screening of elders and also medical camps. Elders who live in remote areas are referred to the nearest Government hospital for surgery.

HASL Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge said over 25,000 elders have benefitted under the free cataract program. He said there is a marked improvement in contributions by various organisations and individuals towards the HelpAge eye care and other medical programs and thanked the Freemasons for partnering in this worthy cause.