75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Army Commemorated with the Donation of Eye Corneas to Pakistan Military – By Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne
The Sri Lankan High Commission in Pakistan facilitated a significant donation of human eye corneas to Pakistan Military, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army. This noble initiative, jointly organized by the Defence Wing of Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad and the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society, was held in a simple yet meaningful ceremony at the Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology (AFIO), Rawalpindi on 20 November 2024.
The corneas were formally handed over by His Excellency Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne (Retd), Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, alongside Brigadier Kaminda Silva Defence Advisor and representatives of the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society, to Lt Gen Arshad Nasim HI(M) Surgeon General and Brigadier (Dr.) Waquar Muzaffer, Commandant of AFIO. This event further solidifies the remarkable legacy of bilateral cooperation, with 26,000 corneas donated to Pakistan.
During ceremony Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne highlighted the history of Sri Lanka’s eye donation initiative, tracing its roots to Dr. Hudson Silva, the founder of the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society. He also emphasized enduring and cordial relationship between two nations. Representing the Sri Lankan Eye Donation Society, Mr Janath Saman Matara Arachchi acquainted the audience on their role from the inception.
Lieutenant General Arshad Nasim HI(M), Surgeon General of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Military, and the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society for their remarkable and generous gesture. He acknowledged the immense impact of this initiative on restoring sight for those in need and reaffirmed the deep bond of friendship and collaboration between the two nations.
Sri Lanka has a proud legacy of eye donation tradition, boasting over 93,000 corneas donated worldwide, has now resumed after a temporary halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The donated corneas, gifted by deceased Sri Lankan individuals, are earmarked to restore vision to Pakistan military personnel affected by terrorist activities, as well as other patients in need, underscoring the deep humanitarian commitment shared by the two nations.
