A renowned social and community worker, Dr.Lakshman Lucien de Silva Weerasena, a medical practitioner with a wide experience of over 45 years in the field was honoured with the Dehsabandu Award at the 2017 National Award ceremony held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo recently.
In recognition of his dedicated work, he was appointed President of the Independent Medical Practitioners Association in 1991.
In his presidential address he mooted the principle of providing healthcare facilities to the doorsteps of the people irrespective of caste, creed, social or economic status.
He said the main objective should be to provide healthier tomorrow to the under-privileged and less fortunate. He said as doctors who benefitted from free education owe gratitude to serve the nation and its people.
Since 1991, he has conducted over 560 free health camps throughout the country which had benefitted over one million people. Over 35,000 reading glasses had been donated to the people of all ages with vision disabilities during these camps, while providing health care by renowned physicians to common health issues of the rural poor.
He has also functioned as President of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association for sometime. Dr.Weerasena has the distinction of being the first general practitioner to be appointed President of the Medico-Legal Society.