WE HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST CLINIC FOR PROVISION OF ARTIFICIAL LIMBS TO CIVILIANS INJURED DURING THE RECENT WAR

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AN APPEAL FOR URGENT PROVISION OF ARTIFICIAL LIMBS TO CIVILIANS INJURED DURING THE RECENT WAR

We receive news in the UK from our friends in the Sri Lankan frontline that there are a large number of war related amputees, both civilians and service personnel.

We believe that getting these people ambulant and optimally rehabilitated as fast as possible should be a priority for the Sri Lankan nation. The service personnel are likely to receive their artificial limbs as soon as their physical state allows but there is bound to be a long delay for the civilians for obvious reasons. If the civil society can avoid this by setting up a mechanism for them also to receive artificial limbs as soon as appropriate, it is likely to create goodwill and an environment conducive to satisfactory reconciliation.

Therefore, we have collectively done the following:

1. We have submitted a project proposal to the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka, detailing how we propose to implement a rehabilitation programme. This has been accepted in principle and the logistics are being sorted out now.
2. Colombo Friend in need Society (CFINS) is the best Sri Lankan charitable organisation to lead this process. Based on our detailed proposal which is available for perusal on request, the Board of Management of CFINS has agreed to undertake this project in partnership with Sri Lankan Medical and Dental Association in the UK and the Sri Lankan expatriates in Birmingham including the Meththa Foundation.
3. The project will start on the 6 July. Dr B.Panagamuwa, a senior Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine based in Birmingham, who has 20 years experience in amputee rehabilitations in the UK, in Sri Lanka where he has worked with Ranaviru Sevana (RVS) and CFINS and in Pakistan for the Kashmir earthquake victims, has planned to hold the first clinic at Mannar, aiming to provide artificial limbs to the first batch of approximately 50 people. During a three week long stay, he will assess as many amputees as possible from all areas where amputees are living now and get an idea of the magnitude of the problem.
4. These clinics will be conducted at regular intervals in the affected areas by the CFINS which has a fully equipped mobile workshop. We will continue to support them financially and with expertise. Other colleagues and SLMDA members from the UK, who are experts in amputee rehabilitation, have volunteered help. If needed, we will also utilise the RVS mobile workshop.
5. We can release immediately, approximately GBP6000/- which has been donated by the expatriate Sinhala community in the UK during the last fortnight. An advance payment of GBP2000/- has been made to CFINS, for the fabrication of artificial Jaipur type feet.
6. Dr Mehta at the Jaipur Limb Centre in India has promised us a large donation of similar feet.
7. It is envisaged that this is a life long project and we have to plan accordingly. There will be a need to establish and support at least three branches of CFINS in the triangle comprising Mannar, Mulativu and Dambulla.
8. If we produce good results with this initial venture, we will be in a strong position to obtain large grants from international donors, for example from Japan (JICA), India and the ODA in the UK, for the longer term. This is the time to apply for grants because the donors are very receptive. We need to hurry up.

Until we are in a position to show results, which will be acceptable to the International community, we have to depend on our resources. This appeal to you is for an urgent donation of the maximum amount of money that you can afford to give, confident in the knowledge that every penny you donate will go towards helping an individual in Sri Lanka who has become disabled possibly due to no fault of his / her own.

Please also note that there will be a large number of injured children and mothers who will be our priority. There are very few other agencies in Sri Lanka who can help these people. We are in a very privileged position indeed by virtue of our expertise and affluence. We must rise to the occasion.

Please give lavishly. The best way will be to commit by a standing order, five or ten pounds monthly for as long as you can. You may set up the account in favour of the SLMDA-UK, Account Number 0686216, Sort Code 30-19-14. If you pay by cheque, please write on the reverse of your cheques that the money is for the war amputee project. You may if you wish, donate a one off lump sum the same way. Money can be transfered electronically as well. Your payments will qualify for gift aid. Therefore, whatever way you pay, please always download and complete a Gift Aid Form and send it, if appropriate, with your donation, to Dr B Panagamuwa, West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre, 91 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6JA.

Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity

Produced on behalf of the SLMDA-UK, Meththa Foundation including the Birmingham Group of Sri Lankans in the UK and CFINS in Colombo