SUROL, bringing relief to the marginalized in society.
Established in 1971, becoming a government-approved charity by 1973, SUROL (The Society for Upliftment and Rehabilitation Of Leprosy Affected Persons) has focused on one goal for the past 50 years, which is to enable disabled persons affected by leprosy to stand as equals with their counterparts within the community and be accepted by society at large. Throughout the years, SUROL has attracted many prominent business and religious leaders of the country to its cause. One of SUROL’s greatest champions was Fr Glen Fernando, who dedicated his life to this cause.
With the auspices of Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, since 2012 I have taken over the responsibilities of SUROL as the Hony General Secretary in order to promote awareness through education programmes, coordinate relief work, and conduct rehabilitation programs to make this organization’s vision a reality.
The reality, however, is that leprosy is an infection that affects the skin and nerves, and has long-lasting effects on the afflicted who face economic hardships, as they are shunned by society. Many of the cases regularly reported throughout the island have severe deformities such as clawed hands and feet, and fingers and toes which require amputation. This is where SUROL steps in, to bring relief to the “poorest of the poor” in society, who when afflicted with this disease are left to fend for themselves. A predominantly donor-driven organization, SUROL requires (AUD250) to sponsor a patient for a year. With the increasing cost of living, this sum is barely sufficient for the patients and their family to exist, however, we strive to make a positive change in the lives of the marginalized. Sri Lanka sees on average 2000 new patients a year and SUROL finds it difficult to take on more to their fold with the reduction in funding.
Relieving the suffering, while offering aid to those afflicted by leprosy is a tough task at the best of times, the present COVID pandemic has made that task an uphill challenge for SUROL. However, the organization is determined to remain true to its cause, and to that end, in the past year, SUROL is currently providing aid to over 238 patients, and distributed two hampers worth (AU$ 52) each with essential provisions during the Christmas season and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, to those families being supported by us country wide. In addition, 30 patients at the Hendala Hospital have received clothing and nutritional items during this time. While supporting 37 children of these families with a monthly allowance towards their educational needs, we also provide, stationery items, school bags, school uniforms, and shoes to them through generous donors. SUROL has also aided projects with special requirements, such as building toilets, repairing houses especially roofs, purchasing bicycles, tricycles, wheel chairs, along with crutches, spectacles, and special footwear for those in need.
As SUROL arrives at a milestone, its 50th year, plans to forego the celebrations and concentrate on providing the needy with a one-off gift of
(AUD82) per individual in November 2021 is under way. We believe this would be the wish of the late Fr Glen Fernando, whose life’s work revolved around this cause and an apt means of commemorating 50 years of uninterrupted service to those in need. SUROL hopes that more individuals would come forward to support and donate to this worthy cause, especially now as it would make a difference to those marginalized in society by giving them hope.
We invite you to join SUROL in its cause by providing a gift of AUD 85 to a family to celebrate its 50th year. OR support a leprosy affected family by providing a per annum amount of AUD 250.
Please visit our website or get in contact with us via e-mail.
SUROL e-mail address info@surol.lk SUROL web address www.surol.lk
SUROL bank details:
ACCOUNT NAME – SUROL
ACCOUNT NUMBER – 1201103401
NAME OF BANK – COMMERCIAL BANK OF CEYLON LC
BRANCH – BORELLA BRANCH
BANK BRANCH CODE – 7056 019
BANK SWIFT CODE – CCEYLKLX
Rev. Fr. Neil Dias Karunaratne, CSsR
Hony General Secretary
SUROL
