Visionary doctor takes gift of sight to people of his homeland (From Warrington Guardian)

Visionary doctor takes gift of sight to people of his homeland

A WARRINGTON doctor is counting on the help of his patients to give back the gift of sight to the people of a remote Sri Lankan village.

Dr Sri Kumaraswamy, a GP at Bold Street Medical Centre, regularly ships reading glasses, walking sticks and frames - all donated from his patients - to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, to distribute to the needy.

Since the project began five years ago, his patients have given hundreds of people with poor eyesight the chance to see again.

He said: "The last time I went I took 275 pairs of glasses with me and I only had two left at the end. A man came into the temple where I was distributing the glasses holding his wife's hand. As he went to leave I asked him whether I could help him down the steps but he said: 'No, I can walk on my own now, I can see'. It brought tears to my eyes."

The Sri Lankan-born GP returns to his homeland twice a year to visit relatives and distribute the much-needed donations. After picking up his containers from the docks at Colombo, he undertakes a six-hour journey to remote Sella Kataragama on the southern tip of the island, braving pot holed roads which could be washed away in heavy rain at any time.

Once there he stays in a simple room in the region's best known Buddhist temple where he distributes the glasses and walking aids and provides medical advice.

Villagers hear of his arrival by word of mouth and hundreds flock to the temple.

He added: "There are no opticians in that part of the country. People do not have glasses and everyone has to pay for their own medication in Sri Lanka."

Some patients, who do not have glasses to spare for the project, have donated money instead. Dr Kumaraswamy uses the money to buy medicines and food for residents living in an old people's home, which is run by volunteers and relies on voluntary donations.

He has recently sent two second hand computers. He is now collecting donations to pay for an English-speaking teacher to teach children English and computer studies once a week in the hope that some of them may be able to go to university. The cost of a teacher is around £60 a year.

All shipping and travelling costs are paid for by Dr Kumaraswamy. Any donations, including unwanted reading glasses and walking aids can be made to Dr Kumaraswamy at Bold Street medical centre, 25 Bold Street, Warrington, WA1 1HQ or contact him on 244655.