Sri Lanka Projects

​Sponsorship for Free Cataract Operations - 2023

Since 2018, Firefly Mission has been supporting the Free Cataract operations initiated by Karuna Trust in Sri Lanka. This is a charity set up by Mr Mahinda Karunaratne since 2003 to uplift the lives of those living below the poverty line through different housing, medical and educational programmes. The free eye care has been in operation since 2017 with the support of many local opthamologists. Cataract patients which are identified at the regular mobile eye camps are referred for free surgery and treatment. The cost per patient is S$100 which pays for the rental of operating theatres and lenses. All other costs are borne by Mr Karunaratne.

In 2023, FFM’s sponsorship of free cataract operation gave sight and hope to more than  patients who would never have been able to afford the cost of cataract surgery.

Sri Lanka Food Relief - 2022

On 19 June 2022, Karuna Trust made an urgent appeal to Firefly Mission for help with a school in Kalkuda in Batticaloa District due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

FFM, meal dana was given to 35 student monks and over 50 lay students continually Jun 2022 till Aug 2023

Sri Lanka Eye Camp - Jan 2021

January 2021 Eye Camp @ Sri Lanka is a joint-project of FFM & Karuna Trust. We not only restore sights but also lives of those who regain their normal vision.

This is one of the many Medical Projects champion by FFM together with our partners of compassionate in countries of Sri Lanka, Myanmar & Thailand … together we light up the world.

Kathina support to Sri Lanka’s temples

Together with Maha Karuna Buddhist Society, Malaysia, FFM has co-sponsored Kathina in a number of Buddhist Temples in Sri Lanka. Maha Karuna Buddhist Society, Malaysia is under the guidance of Chief Reverend B. Sri Saranankara Maha Thera, the Chief High Priest of Malaysia (Judiciary) Malwatta Chapter and incumbent Chief Monk of Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Malaysia.
 

Eye Cataract Surgery Support in Sri Lanka - 2020

We had just completed the 1st batch of cataract surgeries at Suwanetha Eye Hospital, Sri Lanka. The eye camp started on 25 July 2020 and will complete on 15 Aug 2020. The next group of patients will be operated in August by our partner, the Karuna Trust & supported by Firefly Mission.

We have been supporting Eye Camp in Myanmar since 2010 & in addition, from this year onward, we will be extending our support to restore sights and lives in Thailand. Again, we could only do this with very generous donations from our members, volunteers & donors, and the dedication from our medical partners in Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Thailand … together we light up the world

Eye Operation & Eye Care - 2020

Each cataract operation cost around S$100 and for the year 2020, FFM sponsored S$10k.

Jul 2020 to Sept 2020 completed 144 eye operations

Eye Operation Project - 2018

In May 2018, Sis Shuyin proposed the cataract eye operation for Sri Lanka under the Karuna Trust. Karuna Trust is set up by Dr Asela Abeydeera in Sept 2017 to provide cataract eye operation and eye cares. They provide monthly outreach programme in rural area. Those identified with cataract are registered for surgeries at selected hospitals by the charity for free cataract operation. The charity also provide for necessary logistic support such as transport, food and accommodation (usually at temples) for the surgeries and the follow up examination.

Firefly Mission supported the program in 2018 by sponsoring S$10,000 for Jul to Dec 2018 cataract eye operation.

RO Water Systems Installation

In Feb 2016, Sis Lim Shu Yin proposed to the FFM committee to undertake the Reverse Osmosis Project for the Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, around 66% of the population depends on local sources such as wells, hand pump tube wells, small scale rural water supply schemes, rain water harvesting tanks and surface water bodies irrigation tanks, canals, streams and springs for their drinking water. The recent increase in the number of persons suffering from renal disease is one of the major health problems in Sri Lanka. Since 1994, a new form of Chronic Kidney Disease, known as CKDu, has been identified in Sri Lanka, which has causes that are not yet understood. According to the Annual Health Bulletin 2005, the hospital mortality rate for diseases of urinary system (which includes kidney diseases) doubled during the period 1980-2005, from 3.1 to 6.5 deaths per 100,000 persons. At the national level, such diseases were the 11th leading cause of hospital deaths in 2005.

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We had completed more than 12 RO Systems in various part of Sri Lanka. Here is a list of some of the installations:
 

• Walahaviddawewa, Horowpothana

• Koruwewa Mahanama Maha Vidyalaya, Polpithigama, Kurungegala

• Thirappane Maha, Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura District

• A/Tambuttegama Central Collage, Tambuttegama, Anuradhapura

• A/Mahabulakulum Maha Vidyalaya, Mahabulakulama, Anuradhapura

• A/Thammanakulum Primary School, Thammannakulm, Mediwachiya, Anuradhapura

• Sri Dharmashrama Buddhist Centre, Mahiyangananya

• Sri Rajapushparamaya, Makichchawa Morakewa, Anuradhapura Project

• Pahala Diggala Primary School, Dewahuwa, Matale, Dambulla

• Ucharitha Wardana Wedihiti Samithiya, Marakandawala, Anuradhapura

• Asiri Kanda Aranya Senasanaya, Kuchaveli, Trincomalee

• Asokaramaya, Medirigiya