IDH to receive building worth Rs. 30 m for CT scan machine from Moratuwa Uni. Engineering Association

Engineer Chaminda Weerasinghe handing over the MOU to Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama. Engineer Dammika Padeniya is also seen

Commander Sisira Weerakoon, Dr. Krishani Abeywickrama along with Engineer Chaminda Weerasinghe and Engineer Dammika Padeniya

Engineer Chaminda Weerasinghe handing over the MOU to Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi and DG Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe. Dr. Samantha Ananda and Engineer Dammika Padeniya are also seen

• Engineering graduates of 92/93 batch undertake construction of new facility with the support of Sri Lanka Navy

The main Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Sri Lanka has been functioning without a CT scan machine and the needy patients have been taken to other hospitals when a CT scan is to be performed. Ministry of Health has allocated a CT scan machine to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) of IDH but there was a need to construct a building on urgent basis to house the CT scanner and perform the required tests.

Accepting a proposal submitted by IDH Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama,  Engineering Association of Group 92/93 of University of Moratuwa (UoM) readily agreed to come forward and fulfil the need of construction of this special two-storeyed building with an extent of 325m2 which consist of CT Scan Machine Room, Control Room, UPS and Transformer rooms, waiting rooms for patients, consultation rooms for  consultants and radiologists, etc.

The President and General Secretary of Engineering Association of Group 92/93 officially informed IDH Director Dr. Hasitha Attanayake, IDH Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama and IDH Consultant Radiologist Dr. Kishani Abeywardena on 6 April, the commitment of its membership to raise the required Rs. 30 million to complete the building within first half of May 2020. The fundraising campaign commenced on 8 April and the construction commenced on 10 April by the Sri Lanka Navy team led by Commodore Sisira Weerakoon, Director Naval Civil Engineering of Sri Lanka Navy. The commitment and services offered by Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) as the consultant to the project is commendable. Sri Lanka Navy has pledged complete support to the project by providing manpower and site supervision until the completion of the project.

The officials of Engineering Association of Group 92/93, met Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Director General of Health Service Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva at Centre for COVID-19 Task Force on 17 April to handover the MOU for the project. The association has already raised funds amounting to Rs. 10 million from the membership and well-wishers.

The plan is to complete the installation of the CT scan machine in the new building and avail services to patients by 20 May. While appreciating the unconditional commitment and efforts of the membership of Engineering Association of Group 92/93 in raising required funds, there is still more work to be done to realise these objectives. Therefore, any generous contributions from fellow engineers and well-wishers are welcome and funds can be remitted to the following bank account:

nBank account name    :  Engineering Association of Group 92/93 of UoM

nAccount No.: 1114018250

nBank name:Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd.

nBranch:Narahenpita Branch

nSwift code: CCEYLKLX

Note: Please WhatsApp the transfer slip to +94 773 547136 with your name after the transfer.

For any further details of the project the General Secretary of Engineering Association of Group 92/93 of UOM can be contacted via 0777-307117.

Engineering Association of Group 92/93 is a group of engineers, who graduated from the University of Moratuwa in 1998 – (A/L 1991). As products of free education system of Sri Lanka, they engage in many community service projects and the above project is deemed as the largest project undertaken by them.