Congenital heart disease being a major killer in Sri Lanka for children under five years of age is known for reducing infant mortality rate in the country. Almost 2,500-3,000 children are born with a congenital heart disease every year, and most of them need either surgical or catheter based treatment within the first year of their lives. Unless treated in a timely manner, some do not live to see even their first birthday, and a majority die before they reach adulthood, said Project Chairman of Rotary, Sushena Ranatunga.
To address this issue the Rotary Foundation and Rotary Sri Lanka raised over USD 400,000 to set up the first ever Human Heart Valve Bank at Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) said, Project-initiating Governor, Rotarian Gowri Rajan who was supported by the then Rotary Global President K. Ravindran.
The facility is now available at Lady Ridgeway and the Rotary International President 2017/18 Ian Riseley and Governor Rotary Sri Lanka, Dr. Ven. Bandagiriya Somawansa Thera will officially hand over the first Human Heart Valve Bank to the Minister of Health Dr Rajitha Senaratne, and Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa in the presence of the paediatrician community of Sri Lanka and key medical hierarchy of Lady Ridgeway Hospital.
Ian H.S. Riseley is a chartered accountant and principal of Ian Riseley and Co., a firm he established in 1976. Prior to that he worked in the audit and management consulting divisions of large accounting firms and corporations. He holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation Law and Diplomas in Accounting and Income Tax.
Risely has been a member of the boards of both a private and a public school, a member of the Community Advisory Group for the City of Sandringham, and involved in Sea Scouts and sporting groups, as well as honorary auditor or adviser for many charitable organizations.
Riseley’s honours include the AusAID Peacebuilder Award from the Australian government in recognition of his work in East Timor, the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the Australian community, the Distinguished Service Award and Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World from The Rotary Foundation.
A Rotarian since 1978, Riseley has served as treasurer, director, Foundation trustee, and member and chair of numerous RI and Foundation committees. He and his wife, Juliet, a past district governor, are Major Donors and Bequest Society members of The Rotary Foundation. They live on seven hectares at Moorooduc, where they practise their personal philosophy of sustainable and organic living.
The Global President and First Lady Juliet will be the chief guest at the Black Tie Charity Dinner at Shangri-La, Colombo, a total sold out event with all proceeds going to charity. Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara will grace the occasion said Project Chairman of RI President’s visit, Krish Rajendran.