AMDA’s peace programme in Polonnaruwa ends today

To mark 15 years of development work in Sri Lanka by the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) - the St. John’s Ambulance Association (SJA) in partnership with AMDA International is conducting a large scale Peace Building Programme in Polonnaruwa for students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds in the Polonnaruwa, Kilinochchi, Matale and Trincomalee Education zones. The programme begun on August 3 ends today.

Briefing the media on August 1 at the Galadari hotel, Colombo was student of the Hiroshima University and AMDA volunteer Ryo Uchida, President of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia Dr. Shigeru Suganami, Chairman St. John’s Ambulance Association/ Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Chapter of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia Dr. Sarath Samarage and President of the Lions club of Panadura Lion Errol Smith.

Since its inception in 1984 the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) has dedicated its services to bringing about a peaceful world community through humanitarian efforts in the health care sectors.

Following the ceasefire agreement of 2002, the Japanese government appointed former UN Under-Security General Yasushi Akashi as the government representative on peace building, rehabilitation and reconstruction work in Sri Lanka. Upon one of his peace mission visits to Sri Lanka, Akashi requested the President of AMDA International Dr. Shigeru Suganami to initiate a health project for Sri Lanka.

The “AMDA –Peace Building Project” (AMDA –PBP) has delivered both medical care services and preventive health services to rural communities. These initiatives range from free cataract operation missions, peace building through religion, sports and arts, disaster relief (coming to Sri Lanka’s aid in times of the tsunami and floods) and founding the SUGANAMI scholarship foundation programme for the University of Colombo .