We, in the SLMDA are devastated by the shocking news of the events that unfolded in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this atrocity and their families. Most were Sri Lankan nationals who were celebrating Easter, either by worshipping in a church or partaking of a celebratory meal. Some found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many were tourists, who, hearing of our beautiful island, had come to witness it for themselves only to pay the ultimate price for their holiday. To the rising death toll must be added the many who were injured or maimed. Others would bear the scars of psychological trauma and grief for a long time.
The consequences of this heinous act will weave its tentacles widely and deeply into the fabric of Sri Lankan society for many years to come. It will change our life style and for many it would threaten their livelihoods pushing them deeper into poverty.
The SLMDA has considered the place of its upcoming Academic Sessions and Dinner dance in the context of these tragic events. These are not frivolous events but at their heart is a charitable aspiration-to give doctors of Sri Lankan origin or those sympathetic to Sri Lanka, a platform to demonstrate their academic prowess and to help our alma maters and generations of medical and dental students studying in them.
We have decided that we will not give in to the aim of the perpetrators, who sought to sow hatred, ruin, distrust, anger, hopelessness and helplessness. We refuse to exchange our way of life and aspirations for bitterness and hate and will go ahead with our endeavors, which are based on love. We owe this to the victims.
Many SLMDA members have expressed a wish to contribute money to help those affected by the atrocities. We have agreed to collect such monies and donate to a worthy cause. Moreover, the SLMDA has pledged that all the proceeds of the Raffle due to be held at the SLMDA Dinner Dance on 5th of May will be donated to this fund. We hope many would use this event, to stand with us in solidarity with the victims and people of Sri Lanka. We urge everybody to attend this event ‘en mass’ and, by raising as much money as we can, let us show these misguided people that we will not be bowed.
