11/1/2009

 Dr R De Silva, Drs Ann and Gabor Kato with graduates

"Brain Awareness Day" in Sri Lanka took place in November, the first time Brain Awareness Week activities have been held there. It was organized by Dr Ranil De Silva from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, in collaboration with Drs Ann and Gabor Kato from Geneva, Switzerland. This introductory programme in Basic Neuroscience was designed to raise the awareness of the brain and its potential applications in health and disease. The events were advertised in three English Sri Lanka newspapers.

Dr Ranil De Silva gives his presentation

The first event took place on Sunday November 8 in the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Medical Association in Colombo, 10 a.m.-12.45 p.m. The audience was composed of students, teachers, parents, doctors and the general public. The event was organized by the Non-Communicable Disease Committee of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, along with the Neuroscience Society of Sri Lanka (founded by Dr Ranil De Silva). The programme consisted of talks on "How the Brain Works & What Happens to the Sick Brain", "Diseases of the Brain", "How to Keep the Brain Young with Food and Exercise" and the "Effects of Green Tea in the protection of the Brain", given by Drs Ranil De Silva, Ann and Gabor Kato, Ranjani Gamage and Samudra Kathriarachchi.

Weligama participants

The second event took place on Tuesday November 10 at the Sri Sumangala Girls' College, Weligama, 8.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m. The target audience were high school students (grades 10-13), teachers, the general public and health care workers of southern Sri Lanka. There were over 400 participants at this event. The programme consisted of a Welcome Speech, "The Lighting of the Traditional Oil Lamp", by the Principal, Mrs Dahanayaka, and talks by Drs Ranil De Silva, and Ann and Gabor Kato. The girls of the school performed two dances. A group of girls acting as the Masters of Ceremony gave a final speech of thanks followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

Auditorium in Weligama

The two events were a huge success and Drs De Silva and Ann and Gabor Kato are planning another Brain Awareness Day in Sri Lanka next year.

The Brain Campaign (IBRO Public Education Committee) provided funding for the events.

Ann and Gabor Kato
Centre Médical Universitaire
Dept. Pharmacology
Geneva, Switzerland