[In Brief]

Medical Congress anniversary celebrations

The Sri Lanka Medical Association celebrates its 127th International Medical Congress this year at the Bandaranaike Memorial Hall from July 15 - 18.

The scientific congress brings together a cross section of the medical fraternity who will focus on the theme 'Globalising the paradox of Sri Lanka's achievements and challenges,' and will present original research papers, through various plenary, symposia and workshops. Several foreign experts will also be sharing the very latest developments in their respective fields.

Presentations of special reports will include: Global burden of disease, creating an inclusive community for disabled persons in Sri Lanka and role of health sector; sexual medicine, the aging heart, advances on immunology : implications for vaccine, and road traffic injuries. A doctors concert will be staged at the BMICH on Wednesday from 7 p.m to 9 p.m

Around 40 students sent back

The Sri Lankan students who have been studying in conflict-ridden Lugansk in the eastern Ukraine has been sent home and a few students remaining in the capital Kiev and other peaceful areas are not in immediate need of evacuation, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Russian Federation, who is also accredited to Ukraine, Udayanga Weeratunga speaking over the phone told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

Weeratunga said nearly 40 students who were in a university in Lugansk were sent back to Sri Lanka in several batches recently. Some had departed via Dubai while others via Sarjah. Due to the situation in the area the universities in Lugansk remain closed.

He said the student are anxious to get back to the univesities and they were hopeful the universities could re-open by September at the beginning of the semester. "At the moment we are keeping in touch with the university authorities to update the students," he said adding that however, there was no sign of ending violence anytime soon.

- MF

Eye cancer patient needs help

Forty-eight-year old Peddra Lowe of Kahanthota, Malabe has been diagnosed with meningioma, affecting her optic nerves, resulting in blindness, by consultant Neuro-Surgeon Dr. H.K.de S. Kularatne.

She has been advised by Consultant Oncologist Dr. Lakshman Obeysekera to undergo radiotherapy to treat cancer in her pituitary gland which could be performed at the Ceylinco Healthcare Services, Colombo 2, which will cost around Rs. 445,450.

Peddra cannot afford this huge amount and hence she and her daughter appeal to the generous public for contributions which could be remitted in favour of P.T. Lowe, A/c No. 080-2-001-5-0014517 of the People's Bank, Ratmalana. Her contact No. 071-5185336.

Cancer patient appeals

Chandra Lalith Jayaweera of Netolpitiya, Tangalle has been suffering from cancer in the abdomen for over one and a half years. Colombo National Hospital Consultant Surgeon Dr. Sarath Kumara Kollure had performed surgery sometime back and he is now in Ward No. 17 of the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama, receiving treatment from Consultant Oncologist Dr. Dehan Gunasekara. The drugs and the milk foods prescribed, are very expensive and Jayaweera, a father of three school-going children, finds it difficult to afford them.

He appeals to the generous public for financial assistance and the contributions may be remitted to the Account No. 3407587 Bank of Ceylon, Tangalle Branch. Contact: 071-7591159.

Death of Dy Minister's mother-in-law

The death occurred of former Director of Education, Mrs. Hema Godawatte, wife of Presidential Coordinating Director and ETF Chairman K.M.A. Godawatte and mother of Kokila Godawatte Muthuhettigama and Pandula Samitha Godawatte and mother-in-law of Minor Export Crops Promotion Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigama and grandmother of Samadhi Muthuhettigama.

The cremation will take place tomorrow at 6.00 p.m. at the Gampaha public cemetery.