Sri Lankan technologists produce electromagnetic lithotripsy machines

Can be used to disintegrate kidney stones using shock waves:

Nadira Gunatilleke

Two Sri Lankan technologists have produced two electromagnetic lithotripsy machines which can be used to disintegrate kidney stones using shock waves, a Health Ministry spokesman said. The two technologists are from Polonnaruwa and Bulathsinghala.

Neville Rathnasekara is a civil engineer while the other is Dayan Harsha Maarabedda.

One machine costs Rs 5 million and similar machines are available in state hospitals. The machines were handed over to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena at the Kalubowila Hospital.

Minister Sirisena handed over them to Badulla and Batticaloa Hospitals.

Prof W Watson, a urologist from UK who examined the two machines said they were of top quality.

He was in Sri Lanka to take part in a programme organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Urologists in collaboration with the Medical Faculty of Sri Jaywardenepura University.

Minister Sirisena expressed his appreciation to the two local technologists.

He said he was proud of them and was willing to assist local inventors and professionals who can locally produce drugs, equipment etc for the health sector.

All requirements can be provided to such persons, the minister said.