The official handing over of medical/laboratory equipment took place at the Lions Activity centre in Kotte with the participation of Multiple Council Chairman Lion Srilal Fernando, Past Council Chairman Lion Mahesh Pasquel, six District Governors of the six Lions Districts, Director of Colombo East Teaching Hospital Rear Admiral Dr. Jayasekara and Deputy Director of the Colombo East Teaching Hospital Dr. Chaminda Algama.
The singing sensation Bathiya Jayakoday also joined the handing over ceremony as a brand ambassador.
The donations included a CFX96 Dx Real-Time PCR Detection System (IVD), High flow Oxygen machine, Multichannel Pipette – Volume 120-1200, Centrifuge 5427 R, Freezer (-20 degree Celsius), Multichannel Pipette – Volume 10-100, Non-invasive ventilator (With BiPAP and CPAP) and Spectrophotometer ELIZA Reader and Wellwash Versa 2x12.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Multiple Council Chairman, Lion Srilal Fernando said,
“We are in the midst of a largely troubled period and it is more important now than ever to support one another.
This Thousand Hopes campaign solely intends to give back hopes of life to our own people.
Strengthening the public health care system is the priority at this point.
Our lions and Leos are up for the challenge to make notable donations to hospitals island wide.
As the second phase of the project, we will be donating medical equipment worth Rs. 50Mn to selected hospitals around the country.”
Mr. Bathiya Jayakody, Brand Ambassador of the Thousand Hopes Campaign, heaped praises on the Thousand Hopes campaign and invited the public to be a part of this initiative.
He shared, “We are indeed grateful to Multiple District 306 for inviting us to be a part of this worthy cause which strengthens the hospitals to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Thousand Hopes’ being a three-phased large-scale project that donates 150Mn worth medical equipment will be add a significant contribution to the country’s health care system.
We hope to extend our support to this ongoing project and help our fellow citizens during these challenging times.”
Since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic, the Lions & Leos of Sri Lanka have been at the forefront of community support initiatives, providing much needed assistance from the ground level itself.
In their efforts to support the public health care system, the Lions Multiple District 306 after discussion with the Health Ministry set up the Lions of Sri Lanka Covid-19 Relief Fund and initiated the Thousand Hopes national level program with an aim to raise Rs.150Mn to donate medical/laboratory equipment to local hospitals.
Having understood that the lives of all Sri Lankan depend on a well-equipped public health care system, the Lions of Sri Lanka with a membership strength of 15,000, over 9,000 Leos of Sri Lanka proactively engaged in this initiative strongly supported by the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
The Multiple District 306 wish to extend their gratitude to all Lions & Leos, Lions Clubs International Foundation, the general public who contributed with donations, media networks & especially Siyatha FM who supported in taking this message across and everyone who contributed to make this project a success.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries around the world.
Lions Clubs International Multiple District 306 (Sri Lanka) is a part of this global organization and comprises of over 550 clubs with around 15,000 members.
Leos Clubs International is the youth arm of Lions with over 9,000 Leos in Sri Lanka. Lions & Leos of Multiple District 306 have been at the forefront of community support initiatives catering to the needs of the country for several decades.
Lions & Leos have been in action throughout the Covid pandemic via donations and volunteering activities in their own communities.