Our motherland needs our help. Whilst we can debate on the causes of this unfortunate current economic, social and political situation, the crisis has undoubtedly affected those who are least able to withstand its effect,  the  poor being left without access to urgent medical assistance in their hour of need.

Therefore, we have two choices. Either, we can spend our timing criticizing, hoping the government will and should cater for their needs or we can help – Saving Lives. The Greatest gift of all  be they Buddhists, Christians, Muslims or Hindus. How we decide to act  is how it defines us all. Many Sri Lankans are fortunately very generous and care about those back home.

To this end, likeminded Sri Lankans in Australia have come together to form Sri LankaHealthCrisis.Org. Given our previous positive experience in working with Rotary during Covid-19, we are partnering with Rotary Hills District to collect funds for medical aid. The funds will be utilized to purchase medical equipment and drugs associated with Perinatal/Neonatal purposes only.  We all have dreams for our children when they are born. That is why we chose to call it to Save a Dream. Our initial fundraising target is A$100,000. The budget to fulfill all of the requirements is approximately A$1,500,000.

This choice is strategic since it is difficult in a short time to focus on purchasing all of the drugs mentioned in a request issued by the Consulate in Melbourne due to lack of financial and human resources. However, we already have 1,800 ET tubes ready for shipment.

We have chosen Rotary to be our partner to ensure financial integrity as well reduce the administrative burden. And thankful for their participation. When the website https://donations.rawcs.com.au/6-2016-17 is clicked it will take the donor to a web page which says Sustainable Community Development Programs in Sri Lanka & India. (6-2016-17). The donations received here are allocated exclusively to the “Save a Dream” project.

Rotary then will notify us the funds collected and  make them available to us for purchasing of medicial equipment and drugs of our choosing. To this end, we have been in consultation with Dr Surantha Perera, Vice President Sri Lanka Medical Association, Australian medical professionals including Professor Paul Komesaroff, Monash Medical as well as the Consulate of Sri Lanka in Melbourne who are assisting us in seeking Sri Lankan Airlines approval to ship the medical equipment FOC to Colombo. The recipient of the drugs would be the Director of Health who can clear the drugs without paying custom duties.

We kindly request all the Sri Lankans to support this cause with generous donations!

The details are provided in the flyer below.