Heta husmak wenuwen ada api / හෙට හුස්මක් වෙනුවෙන් අද අපි”, plantation and an environmental cleaning project initiated by Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The Phase 1 of this series of projects, carried out with a group of pre intern doctors from 23rd batch, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura at Mullaitivu and Kokkulai areas on 21st to 23rd February 2020. During the project Mee (Madhuca longifolia), Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna) and Kohomba (Azadirachta indica) trees were planted in bare lands in Vattrāppalai, Mullaitivu district in collaboration with Sri Lanka Air Force. The environmental cleanup project was carried out near Daguru-Oya tank area and in the Kokkulai coastal areas. The collected garbage were handed over to the relevant authorities for recycling. The project was carried out with the fullest support, guidance and the permission of the Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. S.G Yasawardene and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias. The Commanding officer of the Air Force station Mullaitivu, Group Captain Anuruddha Wijesiriwardena and, Officer Commanding – Logistics Sri Lanka Air Force station Mullaitivu, Squadron Leader, Prageeth Gamage was involved in the project from the beginning and provided guidance, accommodations, logistics and courage to carry out the plantation and environmental cleaning project. Dr. Tharindu Wickramasinghe, Dr. Rashmi Perera, Dr. Randunu Dissanayake, Dr. Lakal Ruhunuge, Dr.Kavindu Gajasinghe, Dr. Samuditha Jayakody, Dr. Dinithi Samarasinghe, Dr. Dimuthu Piyumini, Dr. Mithun Alwis, Dr. Hashini Himanshika, Dr. Dr.Piyumi Eranthika, Dr.Madusha Liyanage, Dr. Niromi Liyanage, Dr. Shayami Weerakkody, Dr. Kalani Kulathilaka, Miss Shashika Dilrukshi, Dr. Piyumi Witharana, Dr. Kulunu Anushka, Dr. Suresh Wijerathne and Dr. Nishadi Sandunika participated to the project representing 23rd batch. Some plants were donated by the members of the Environmental Conservation Coalition Sri Lanka, coordinated by Dr. N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and members of the “ගම්පහ බණ්ඩාරනායකෙයේ දෙවන පෙළ” environmental conservation group. Leo Club, Madurawella – District 306 A2 provided financial contribution to purchase Kumbuk plants from plant nursery, Forest Department – Mirigama. During the visit to Mullaitivu, according to the prior request sent by Ven. Sri Thisspaura Dhammarathana thero – Kokkulai, the team carried computers, laptops, reading material to the library, stationary and green boards collected from well-wishers and donors. All the logistics were donated to the Mullathivu, Kokkulai Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya in order to uplift the teaching and learning capacity of the school children.
