News

Worst hit: Dementia during coronavirus

Published

4 years ago

2020/11/1

COVID 19 continues its unrelenting march. With more than 40 million confirmed cases and more than a million deaths world-wide, the devastation in the wake of the virus is inexorable.

While no one is spared, its effect on those with dementia is unparalleled as highlighted in the Alzheimer’s Society Report – Worst hit: dementia during coronavirus.

LAF no doubt is challenged in the circumstances. Having reopened the activity centre for our dear clients in September after nearly six months, we are compelled to have frequent closures as the virus rears its ugly head from time to time. Uncertainty is ubiquitous. We are saddened that many of our clients have deteriorated over the past six months and unable to continue at the activity centre. Some have even passed away. Perhaps, social isolation too was a factor in hastening these outcomes.

We continue, nevertheless, with our implacable mission. We had a successful virtual walk – ‘Memorable Steps 2020’ which culminated with a group of us scaling the historical Sigiriya rock on September 21 to mark World Alzheimer’s day. We thank all those who supported the virtual walk by their participation.

Ayubo.life provided the online platform gratis and worked tirelessly to enable its success. We were able to raise awareness related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias thanks to our media sponsors, Wijeya Newspapers and the Capital Maharaja group.

Our special thanks go to Rishini Weeraratne and her team at the Daily Mirror online for their brilliant effort round the clock with interviews, videos, write ups and social media publicity. They were ably supported by an accomplished team from Dentsu Grant who came up with the logos, graphics and branding strategy.

All these efforts were free of charge. Generous sponsorships from Lassana Flora, Quantum Fitness, Cinnamon, Jetwing, Hilton, Galadari, Shangri-la, Serendib Hotels, Bolt Gear, Celcius, Sanoki, Eyecare and Cutting Station enabled us to give exciting gifts to our winners.

We congratulate the 67 participants who received these gifts. We are also appreciative of the magnanimous sponsorships by Maliban, Janashakthi life, First Capital and Just kids.

Finally, I end this message with special thanks to Yasmin Cader, who managed this event for us. Her vivacious and dynamic personality has been a key factor in the success of all the events that LAF has been conducting over the years. She has decided to step down from the Board of Directors.

Her public relations leadership and publicity efforts from LAFs inception will be sorely missed. We hope however that she will remain in the shadows supporting the board with her expertise and raising sponsorships as before, in the years to come.

– Prof Shehan Williams,

President,

Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation.

(Shehan Williams works as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Kelaniya).

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Latest News

Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

15 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

15 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

16 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.