ROTARY SUPPORTS WITH 120 MILLION WORTH PROJECT TO COMBAT COVID-19

July 2020, Colombo – Rotary Sri Lanka has always supported humanity in times of crisis with no exception to current biggest global crisis – Covid-19 pandemic. The Special Task Force spearheaded by Past Rotary International President KR Ravindran together with District Governor 2019-20 Sebastian Karunakaran and Rotary officials, handed over LKR 120 Million worth project to His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapakse at the Presidential Secretariat.

Rotary has installed at MRI a fully-automated Nucleic Acid Extraction and PCR System first of its kind in Sri Lanka. The new system will enable MRI to carry out tests speedily, safely, consistently and accurately. It is far superior to manual testing, which carries a high-risk of exposure, among other limitations. The rest of the equipment supporting apparatus includes Test Kits PCR Reagents, Autoclaves, Safety Bio Cabinets, point of care fully automatic Biochemistry Analyzer, Centrifuge and 6 Part Haematological Analyzer with CRP.

“It is significant that this new equipment will help to mitigate human resource shortage in conducting medical testing. It has the ability to identify different kinds of viruses that may emerge in the future, as well,” the statement added from President’s Media Division.

In addition, Rotary has assisted the Ministry with printing of awareness materials, upgrading computer hardware – software facilities, shipped in digital thermometers and provided personal protective equipment for healthcare personnel in peripheral hospitals.

The funds were raised through contributions from the Rotary family, well-wishers and generous sponsors including reputed corporates Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Carson Cumberbatch PLC, LBR Foundation, National Development Bank PLC, Cambio Software Engineering Pvt Ltd., Ascentic Pvt Ltd. Mirchandani Foundation and Association of Professional Bankers Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to Rotary Sri Lanka, well-wishers and donors for their donation.

Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero, Ministry of Health Secretary Major General (Retired) Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Medical Research Institute Sri Lanka Director Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, Consultant Virologist Dr. Jude Jayamaha, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka Dr. Razia Pendse, Dilmah Founder Merrill J Fernando, Dilmah CEO Dilhan Fernando, Carson Cumberbatch PLC Group Finance Director Ajith Weeratunga, LBR Foundation Board Member Rajendra Theagarajah, NDB Vice President Melody Wickramanayake, Mirchandani Foundation  Board Member Kumar Mirchandani, The Rotary Foundation Chairman KR Ravindran, Rotary District Governor 2019-20 Sebastian Karunakaran, Rotary District Governor 2020-21 Ajith Weerasinghe and representatives from Rotary & MOH were present on this occasion.