HelpAge receives Certificate of Appreciation from Health Minister

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa presenting a certificate of appreciation to HelpAge Council Member Dr. Champa Banagala and Programme Head Chaminda de Silva. Dr. K. R. Dayawansa, Dr. Kusum Rathnayake and National Eye Hospital Director Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara are also in the picture

HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) in association with the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka (COSL) performed free cataract surgeries for 1,900 underprivileged senior citizens in Nuwara Eliya, Dikoya, Ratnapura, Kahawatta, Badulla and Mahiyangana areas.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also appreciated the free cataract surgery programme. 

The surgeries were performed in respective hospitals with the assistance of Ministry of Health, eye specialists and nurses attached to government hospitals. The eye lenses, medicine and medical equipment were provided by HelpAge.

Executive Director Dr. Harsha Bandara said conducting cataract surgeries in government hospitals by HelpAge drastically reduced its patients’ waiting lists.

HelpAge Programme Head, Chaminda de Silva said the free eye surgery programme was successfully completed in government hospitals and steps have been taken to conduct another 6,000 surgeries in other areas before the end of this year

The free surgeries were conducted with the financial assistance granted by a Canadian based JECO social service Foundation,  and was supervised by HelpAge Council Member Eye Specialist Dr. Champa Banagala. The programmes were organised by the Collage of Ophthalmologist Sri Lanka – 2025.