Our History
About Us
Caring for Kidney Health
A certain fate, the cause of which is somewhat known but not fully understood, has befallen our country’s reservoir-bound state. This is a twist of fate.
When we look at the people who have uprooted trees and rocks, who have provided strength to the country through agriculture, and who are gradually weakening, we find that kidney disease has become chronic. You cannot even imagine the unbearable pain that arises with that condition. While many speak to the nation about kidney disease—its prevention and treatment—we reveal the untold story of tears hidden beneath the tears.
Stricken by kidney disease, Rajarata farmers with countless hopes yet to be fulfilled spend their days confined to sick beds, unsure if they will see tomorrow’s sunrise. They lack the strength in their hands to build a better future for their children, even for small tasks like placing a few roof tiles on their coconut palms thatched roofs or laying a little cement and tiles on their cow dung floors.
They do not have the strength left in their hands to build a beautiful future for their children. After a lifetime bound to the earth, they are left without the comfort of their own rooms, confined instead to hospital beds for kidney patients.
Though they were once strong like trees, the onset of severe and unexpected illness left them reflecting only on a lifetime of hard work. Therefore, it is believed that the true way to give purpose to those tears is to build a brighter future for their children. This vision lives through the “Sisu Diriya” Scholarship Fund, founded in their name to strengthen their children and bring their dreams of tomorrow to life.
The Anuradhapura Kidney Protection Foundation works tirelessly to support their dreams and aspirations because we recognize the tears hidden behind their smiles.
SPECIAL THANKS
Our Sincere Gratitude
First and foremost, we extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Thilak Abeysekara, Consultant Nephrologist, for taking the initiative to establish this association. From its inception to the present day, the dedicated efforts of the Board of Directors of our foundation in enhancing the welfare of kidney patients deserve the highest appreciation. In this regard, special recognition must be given to the former Chairman of the foundation, the late Mahanayake of the Atamasthana of Dhanthana Maha Viharaya, Dr. Pallegama Siri Niwasanayake Thero. His generous support, particularly through the donation of all funds collected from the alms box placed in front of the Bodhi tree for the benefit of kidney patients, is truly commendable.
In addition, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Theros of the respective temples, as well as to the managers and staff of the relevant bank branches, for granting permission to place Alm boxes in public areas near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, within the middle courtyard of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, at the Isurumuniya Raja Maha Viharaya, and in other locations throughout the Anuradhapura District, for the purpose of raising funds for our foundation. We also sincerely appreciate the support of the managers and staff of the relevant bank branches who have assisted in securing the necessary funds for the welfare of kidney patients.
Our special thanks is extended to Mr. R. M. Wimalaratne of Kodigama, Kosgama, for his valuable contribution through the placement of Alms Boxes in public places. Furthermore, we gratefully acknowledge the support and cooperation of the Anuradhapura Railway Station, the Lanka Electricity Board and Sri Lanka Telecom. We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to the heads and staff of private institutions, including . A. S. Fashion Designs and Alankulama, for their continued assistance.
We, the foundation, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who personally donated money, including Mr. Anura Mendis of Wadduwa, Mr. Dasun Welhena of Kadawatha, former Additional Government Agent Mr. Hettiarachchi, Mr. Sujeewa, Chairman of Sujeewa Enterprises, and Mr. Ranjan Perera, Engineer residing in Australia, as well as to our friends, Mr. Chinthaka Dissanayake, Chief Technical Officer of JRC Software Pvt. Ltd.
We are also very grateful to the nephrologists Dr. Anwar Sadat, Mr. Pramil Rajakrishna, Mr. Buddhika Ileperuma, Mr. Duminda Basnayake and Mr. Rajeeva Dassanayake for their valuable time and constant support in providing advice and guidance to our foundation. The support of the Director of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and the Director of Provincial Health Services for providing necessary transportation facilities and advice in carrying out the foundation’s work is also highly appreciated.
We would also like to thank the Vice Presidents of our Foundation, Mr. Terence Gamini, a retired medical laboratory technician, and Mrs. Sriyani, the Deputy Secretaries, Dr. Chinthaka Seneviratne and Mr. Kamal Lokuge, a nursing officer, and the Treasurer, Mr. P. Chandradasa, a retired accountant from the Ceylon Electricity Board.
We also wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff of the Kidney Clinic, including the Nurse Officer in Charge, Mrs. Anoma Premaratne, for her continuous support and valuable contributions to the activities of the Kidney Foundation. Our gratitude is further extended to the Medical Laboratory Technician, Mr. Chalaka Kumarasinghe, for his maximum assistance in conducting medical examinations during mobile clinics. We also acknowledge with thanks the retired Public Health Inspector, Mr. I. G. Gunaratne; retired Principals, Mr. Gunapala Ratnayake and Mr. A. B. M. D. Wijekoon; and Nurse Officer Mr. Salinda, along with Mr. Ruwan Priyashantha and Mr. K. D. T. B. Dissanayake, for their dedicated support.
In addition, we gratefully recognize the staff of the Hemodialysis Unit and the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit for their contribution in providing school bags during the annual school equipment distribution programs conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2019. We also extend our sincere thanks to Mr. M. W. Susil Premasiri and the staff for their valuable assistance.
As the number of individuals who have supported our work in various ways is considerable, we sincerely apologize for any omissions in acknowledging everyone by name. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have selflessly contributed to the progress of our foundation and kindly request your continued support in our future endeavors. Thank you.