Abstract:
The arrival of a Portuguese visitor in the southern coastal town of Galle by accident in
1505 is considered as the beginning of the ‘Western invasion’ in Sri Lanka. The Dutch
and the British followed the Portuguese and their arrival and action not only changed the
modern history of the Island, but also influenced the economic, social, environment and
cultural activities of the nation.
Five hundred years after the arrival of the first Portuguese invader to Sri Lanka,
thousands of foreigners arrived in the Portuguese controlled areas on or after 26
December 2004. On this occasion the main motive was neither invasion nor trade as
the influx of new wave of foreigners in 2004 was associated with humanitarian
assistance to those affected by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Of the large number of foreigners who arrived in the Sri Lankans shores after December
2004 included Australians, representing NGOs, the Government and individuals. Some
of the NGOs included professional organisations such as the Australian Medical
Association (AMA). For example, in February 2005, the AMA Branch in Western
Australia delivered an aid package worth over A$ 2 million. Medical contingencies from
other states included not only medications and equipment, but also individual
practitioners and medical students.
This paper outlines a humanitarian project conducted by the Australian Medical
Students’ Association (AMSA) in conjunction with the Unite for Sight Foundation and the
Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation, and their work in the southern coastal
belt commenced in December 2005. This paper will discuss the objective, processes
involved and the possible outcomes of a humanitarian project led by the AMSA in the
southern coastal belt providing, both short and long terms benefits not only for the
tsunami affected people but also for the ‘visitors’ who will gain benefits as future health
care providers in a multi-cultural Australia and elsewhere.
