Sri Lanka Medical and Dental Association is a non- political, non-racial organization respecting equality and diversity without any religious affiliations. It was founded in 1982 with a membership of Sri Lankan doctors & dentists exceeding 400 at present.
The main aim of the SLMDA is to assist undergraduate medical & dental education in Sri Lanka. However the constitution has recently been extended to support humanitarian causes of exceptional significance to Sri Lanka. (E.g. 2004 Tsunami)
Support to Sri Lanka is provided in the following ways.
Promoting Medical & Dental Education:
- Annual book donation of about £18000/yr to libraries of 13 Medical Schools in Sri Lanka.
- Award and bursaries (2/faculty/yr) to needy medical & dental students (Contact Treasurer)
- Special Projects Eg. English Skills lab ( Contact Treasurer)
- Lectures & workshops by expatriate doctors & dentists
Supporting Humanitarian Causes:
- Support to medical & dental students affected by the Tsunami
- Fitting of artificial limbs to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the rehabilitation camps in Sri Lanka.
- Covid emergency aids project to provide equipment and materials to Sri Lankan hospitals.
- SLMDA UK emergency health aid programme
Income for the above is generated by the following means
- Annual membership fee of £40 for doctors & dentists & free for medical & dental students.
- Donations for Bursary scheme – £ 10 per month to fund 1 student
There are at least 4 separate events each year. Though some may not generate significant income, they are still valuable to enable the Sri Lankan community to bond together.
Annual General Meeting & Spring Scientific Sessions
This is usually on the Saturday of the Bank holiday in early May. It is a road show with a differing theme & venue each year. The trainees/students session allows high quality research & scientific presentations to be made, with a Founder’s Prize being awarded for the best oral & poster presentation. Abstract are usually for called around Feb/March each year. The day is concluded with a dinner dance & social evening.
