Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association donates Rs. 5 m PCR machine to Kandy National Hospital

SLGJA with son of Lohan Ratwatte, Rohan Ratwatte, and Kandy National Hospital Chairman Mohan Samarakonne

Kandy National Hospital Chairman Mohan amarakonne

Head of Virology Unit Rohitha Muthugala

In support of the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) donated a PCR Machine worth Rs. 5 million to the Kandy National Hospital this New Year. On request of State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries, and State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoner Rehabilitation, Lohan Ratwatte, the PCR machine will support the nation to improve the efficiency of testing and care for patients. 

The PCR machine will enable the hospital to produce results fasters with rapid detection to cure patients and support the Government’s measures to fight the pandemic and eradicate it across the island.

Speaking of the donation, Kandy National Hospital Chairman Mohan Samarakonne, thanked State Minister Ratwatte and the SLGJA for strengthening the hospitals ability to increase testing and improve their resources to control transmissions. 

Representing the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association was Chairman Ahsen Refai with Honorary Treasurer Shazeen Farook, Honorary Executive Committee Member Punsiri Tennakonne and Honorary Executive Committee Member Muslim Salahudeen. Speaking of the donation, the Chairman added: “Our board and members strongly feel the need to support and protect the nation in this time of need. SLGJA are extremely pleased to support the Nation and Kandy National Hospital with our donation. We encourage all Sri Lankans to work together and manage the challenges that lay in front of us. Together with safety precautions taken, and testing to manage transmissions, we can ensure a safe and healthy nation.” The SLGJA was inaugurated in 2003 with the amalgamation of the Sri Lanka Jewellers and Gem Merchants’ Federation (formed in 1970), the Sri Lanka Gem Traders’ Association (formed in 1975), the Sri Lanka Jewellery Manufacturing Exporters Association and the Lapidary Association. SLGJA, as the apex body of the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, currently has over 300 members and is the intermediary between the players in the industry, the government and the regulatory bodies.