funeral services - Dr Anula Nikapotha

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CHARITH NANAYAKKARA

Sun, Apr 28, 11:14 AM (18 hours ago)

to M.G.S, me, M.P.

Dear Philip

I attach the funeral details for our batch mate - Anula Nikapotha.

You may have already got these details but if not, please share with our batch mates.

I have spoken with Vijitha and offered our deepest condolences to him and all his surviving family.

Nana

The massacre in Negombo on Easter Sunday (21st April, 2019)

This note was sent to the CSSL by Dr Ranjith Perera who was on duty and later joined by Dr Rajasekaram, surgeons at Negombo, on behalf of the whole surgical and management team who attended the disaster management at DGH Negombo

.

The above incident kept us very busy attending to the mass casualty. We had 102 deaths following this unfortunate incident and most of them were dead by the time they were brought.

We don’t have proper statistics as to how many patients were brought as the number of patients brought in a short time exceeded the capacity to document. Today after 72 hours, only 17 patients are still being treated in the hospital.

The magnitude of the disaster was such that it was at an unmanageable level and therefore we were not able to coordinate it up to our expectations. However the triage team, the Ministry of Health, our hospital staff and the community in Negombo are happy about the way we handled the situation.

All categories of health staff helped in this needy situation irrespective of it being a Sunday. It must be really appreciated that the doctors including various categories of surgeons from neighboring hospitals in the region actively participated in the management of the disaster. Even other specialty consultants and doctors from other hospitals contributed for this successful performance.

Please convey through the College our heartfelt thanks to the surgeons who helped and who inquired to volunteer services whenever necessary.

We had a post event discussion today in order to take steps to minimize the lapses and improve the system which may be useful at any moment to our hospital.

We will appreciate if the CSSL and MOH could coordinate all over the country for all of us to get prepared for disasters of such a magnitude.

Sincerely 

The Surgeons of DGH Negombo.

The Light at the end of the Tunnel by Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

Living in the UK I felt the need to show my feelings for the friends and families of the many who have been affected by this senseless tragedy. Our country is reeling once again from this perilous situation of conflict and discord, death and destruction.

Although I live happily in England, I have left a part of me in that beautiful island of my birth and the land of my forefathers. My mind often goes back to the time of my youth growing up in post-colonial Ceylon. It was so very peaceful. How times have changed!! We now live in a world so very different. Despite the years in exile I still share in the joys and heartaches of the people of Sri Lanka.

After the tragedy feelings are raw and emotions run high. Investigations are in progress by the security apparatus of Sri Lanka with the help of Interpol, FBI and the Metropolitan Police. Naturally, after a cataclysm of this nature and magnitude there are boundless stories swirling around, some fact and others fiction. Perhaps, now is not the time for us to make a judgment or apportion blame until the investigations are completed.

It is imperative that we do everything possible to prevent a disaster of this nature in the future. This requires the patronage of politicians, vigilance of the security services, guidance of religious leaders and the co-operation of the various communities. We must remain strong against the corrosive elements of society who try to drive a wedge and divide us. Tolerance is the key to a peaceful Sri Lanka. Importantly, we must learn to nurture the peace when it blooms again.

As for the future of my beloved island unity of our people is paramount. It is heartening to read of the show of solidarity by the different religions and of their shared sorrow. We all grieve today. I hope the many candles that were lit will ignite the efforts to dispel bigotry and disharmony. Let the lasting legacy of this awful tragedy be a doorway to a new beginning of peace and tolerance

Disaster management, Easter Sunday 2019, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.

  

DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT TEACHING HOSPITAL BATTICALOA DURING THE EASTER SUNDAY ATTACK

21st of April 2019 was an unfortunate day for all Sri Lankans and Batticaloa once again received the mass casualties following a brutal terrorist attack.  During the 30 year war which ended in 2009 such events were very common.  2004 Tsunami was another tragedy which bought mass casualties. Although we rehearsed several times at the Emergency Department in the recent past, the real emergency of a mass casualty broke in yesterday ( 21/ 04/2019 )

The explosion at the Zion church happened around 8.50 am. Since this place is less than a kilometer away from the Hospital, Dead bodies and injured patients were bought immediately. The time for the preparation at the Accident and Emergency was very minimal. It took some time for us to realize that it is a bomb blast. Initial stories were Gas explosions or Transformer explosion because the first admission came with a burn.

The triage at the A and E was led by Dr.T.R.Nimalaranjan (Consultant Surgeon) who was on call along with the two Consultant Anaestetists namely Dr.S.Mathanalagan and Dr.Yogananth. Although it was a Sunday following a long weekend holiday the hospital authorities were able to brought enough doctors, nurses and other health staff within an hour. When I arrived at the A and E , I was surprised to see that each patient is attended by at least one doctor and two nurses.

There were a total of 69 admissions. Majority was having penetrating shrapnel injuries and some had flash burn in addition. 04 patients died in the R room due to inevitable injuries to head, chest and abdomen in spite of resuscitation. Out of this four, three were children which was very heartbreaking. Another 26 dead bodies were also bought but they were triaged out. All 03 operating theatres at the A and E, the ENT theatre and a routine theatre   were opened immediately for operating (5 tables). 02 Emergency Laparotomies, One Thoracotomy, Few Neck explorations, Fasciotomies, and many compound fracture cleaning were some of the immediate procedures we did. One child needed a clavicle division to ligate a laceration on subclavian vein. Two patients were transferred to TH Kandy and TH Anuradhapura for Neurosurgical care. Two children had evisceration of eyes due to penetrating injuries.

Existing patients in the Intensive Care Units were transferred out to ICUs at DGH Ampara to clear Emergency beds. Dr.V.Jeevathas (Consultant ENT surgeon), Dr.N.Jayaratne (Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon), Dr.A.Madushanka(Consultant OMF surgeon), Dr.W.Wijayasiriwardana (Consultant eye surgeon) and Dr.R.Ramesh  (Consultant Physician) did their maximum to safeguard the lives of this unfortunate. I was surprised to see Dr.Salakianathan, who is a Senior Consultant Surgeon at United Kingdom and a member of the CSSL came in to do a Neck exploration.

I should not forget the services by Dr.Anton Swarnan (Senior Registrar, NHSL ) , Surgical Registrars Dr.Harikrishanth, Dr.Kokulan, Dr.Kovoor, Dr.Pakeerathan, Dr.Arulprasanth, Dr.Sivakaran and Dr.Kalaventhan. Some of them are not working at the TH Batticaloa but were on holiday with their families and quickly responded to the emergency call. Dr.Kalaranjini, Director TH Batticaloa coordinated all the activities with no time for preparation.

Although it’s an unfortunate event and should never happen in this country again, it gives a feedback for our performances. The importance of continuous updates on ATLS and NTMC courses for all surgeons in this country became very obvious on this day.

Thank you

Dr.S.Branavan

Consultant General Surgeon

Council Member ( Eastern Chapter)

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Please click on the picture below to go to the web-page of the article in the DAILY MAIL :--

Minutes before the blast: Smiling children are pictured at Sunday school service where 14 youngsters died in attack that killed 28 people 

Zion Church’s pastor Father Thiru Kumaran, pictured left on a podium, was preparing for the Sunday service when he met the man who he believes was the suicide bomber. After he asked when the Easter mass would start, the pastor said he invited ‘Omar’ into his church. Around half of the victims were said to have been children – some of whom are thought to be pictured here, top right and bottom right. They were caught in the suicide blast as they left Sunday school and played in the grounds of the church, inset. Brave worshippers are said to have confronted a man ‘acting suspiciously’ outside.

Our Country.

Inbox

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JEY GUNASEGARAM

3:13 AM (2 hours ago)

to

Dear Friends,

Yesterday was a Sad day for many of us.

. I see a Silver Lining. We like many others who have  faced such Tragedies, Have to remain Strong - "Sri Lanka Strong". We cannot let the Enemy win - by causing Havoc, Division & hatred among ourselves.

As a Country  we have to come together as One & Show them that they CANNOT DIVIDE US. They are a MINORITY & COWARDS. NO taking Revenge  against  Innocent Muslims Nor any one else. Don't Let them  divide us.

They attacked Sri Lanka, because it is a Small & a Beautiful Country with Beautiful People & Vulnerable.

They are Despicable & the Scum of the Earth.

Let them Know that they have NO Place in our Country. They have to Get out or be in Jail. They will not be Tolerated.

They will NOT declare Success. They will not destroy Our Small Country. We will not let them.

WE can Rebuild & the Dead will not have Died in vain. They Died because the rest of us will live- UNITED in Peace & Love each other for  who we are.

May Sri Lanka Build,  Proudly a Tower,more Beautiful & Taller (USA) than the "9-11" Tower-

Memorializing The Dead & the Injured.

We cannot let this happen again.

Please don't let our Politicians & 'Religious'(fasle prophets) maniacs, furl the Fire of Hatred & Dissension & Division for their selfishness, to gain Power & Wealth- Beware of these Vipers.

With, Love & Peace,

Jey/Gunsie

email from Karals

Re Anula, email from Nalini & Daya

daya rodrigo

12:56 PM (7 hours ago)

to me

Dear Phillip,

I sent this to Anula's e-mail as I dont know Vijitha's.

Dear Vijitha,
We are all shocked & saddened by the tragic news about our dear friend Anula & we can only imagine how hard it must be for you. Our thoughts & prayers are with you, your children & grandchildren at this awful time.
We will always remember Anula's  beautiful face with her twinkling eyes & warm smile, her absolute kindness and her gentle humour. So glad we met up last year & whenever we met she somehow had that knack of making each one of us feel so special.
She really was an amazing person & made a huge contribution to make this world a better place. We only know of a minuscule part of the tremendous work she has done for paediatric mental health services in many parts of the world and very specially in SriLanka. She will of course be sadly missed,  but her passing away will definitely not be the end of her life's work as we are sure she has inspired  and mentored so many others to follow in her remarkable footsteps.
With our love &  prayers,
Daya & Nalini

Headache.....

Karals,

I heard this joke related by our Late Prof. Fonseka, years ago at a batch get together at Habarana,

Philip

Lakshman Karalliedde

2:55 PM (1 hour ago)

Doctors are not as clever as they say they are

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Professor Sanath P. Lamabadusuriya <sanathp.lama@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 12, 2019 at 3:24 AM
Subject: Fwd: Headache.....
To:

.

Headache......

Joe had suffered from really bad headaches for the last 20 years.He eventually decides to go and see a Doctor.The Doctor said, 'Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches.
The bad news is that it will require castration.You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press onyour spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache.The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles.'
Joe was shocked and depressed.He wondered if he had anything to live or.He had no choice but to go under the knife. The surgery cost him15,000.
When he left the hospital, he was without a headache for the first timen 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part ofhimself.
 As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a differeni person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life.
 He saw a Men's clothing store and thought, 'That's what I need... A new Suit.'He entered the shop and told the salesman, 'I'd like a new Suit.'The elderly Tailor eyed him briefly and said, 'Let's see... size 44 long.
Joe laughed, 'That's right, how did you know?'
Been in the business 60 years!' the tailor said.
Joe tried on the suit it fitted perfectly.As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, 'How about a new shirt?'Joe thought for a moment and then said, 'Sure'. The salesman eyed Joe and said, 'Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck.'
 Joe was surprised, 'That's right, how did you know?'
 Been in the business 60 years. 
Joe tried  the shirt and it fitted perfectly.
Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, 'How about some new Underwear?'        Joe thought for a moment and said, 'Sure..' The salesman said, 'Let's see..... size 36.
Joe laughed, 'Ah ha! I got you! I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old..'
The salesman shook his head, 'You can't wear a size 34. A size 34 would press your Testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a Headache.'????

New suit - $ 400 ??
New shirt - $ 36 ??
New underwear - $ 6 ??
Second Opinion - PRICELESS !!

Always take second opinion before going under the Surgeons knife...