Minister Mervin Silva donates eye cornea to Myanmar

(January 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Minister of Public Relations and Public Affairs, Dr. Mervin Silva, donated two human eye corneas to the Government of Myanmar during his visit from 29th December 2010 - 1st January 2011 to mark the friendship between the two countries.

The Director General of Ministry of Health of Myanmar, Dr. U Win Myint received the eye corneas on behalf of the Government of Myanmar and commended Sri Lanka for this noble donation.

International Eye Bank of Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest eye banks, supplying human eyes to restore vision to people in as many as 57 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Egypt and China. Over 40 000 people have benefitted from the Sri Lanka eye bank, since 1964.

According to the Buddhist concept of "dana," or giving, is the root cause for the success.

Gifting one’s eyes after death to someone living, who would in turn have a gift of sight is also a part of Dana Paramita and Pragna Paramita. Buddhists believe that it is an act of great merit.