Engineers from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute Restore Discarded Equipment Worth LKR 3 Million at a Nominal Cost of Under LKR 5,000
Under the direct intervention and strategic guidance of the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Gampaha District Health Committee, Professor Chrishantha Abeyesena, a comprehensive program has been initiated to upgrade the technical infrastructure at the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital, Ragama. This initiative—focused on restoring essential medical equipment and machinery—is being executed with the vital technical collaboration of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT).
Recently, a formal ceremony was held at the hospital under the auspices of Hon. Minister Prof. Krishantha Abeyesena to officially hand over the first consignment of equipment that has been successfully repaired, modernized, and reconstructed through this program.
This critical requirement was brought to the Hon. Minister’s attention during an official observation visit to the hospital in his capacity as the Chairman of the Gampaha District Health Committee. Responding to his formal directive, the engineering division of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute proactively volunteered their expertise for this undertaking.
The restored inventory encompasses a vital range of medical and technical devices, including:
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IR Timers with Power Supplies
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Industrial Ovens
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Patient Standing Aid Units
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Multimonitors
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Grinder Machine Control Panels
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Power Units and Controllers for Tilting Beds
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Heat Guns and Rotary Tools
All of these items had long been slated for repair but remained out of commission. The extensive delays and subsequent withdrawal of these instruments from active service were primarily attributed to exorbitant repair estimates, the permanent closure of original manufacturing firms, and a distinct lack of capable local technical institutions to facilitate the necessary restorations.
The paramount achievement of this endeavor is the successful restoration of discarded technical equipment, valued at approximately three million Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR 3,000,000.00), executed at a highly nominal expenditure of under five thousand Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR 5,000.00). This remarkable feat was made possible exclusively through the specialized expertise of the ACCIMT engineers. In the absence of their timely intervention, these valuable medical assets would have been permanently decommissioned.
The official handover ceremony was graced by a distinguished gathering, including Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, Chairman of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute; Mrs. Kumari Meegahakotuwa, Director General of ACCIMT; the contributing technical engineers; and Dr. Prabath Abeyesiriwardena, Director (Planning) of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
