The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) Contributes to the Restoration of Ventilators by Biomedical Engineering Group of the Faculty of Engineering of University of Peradeniya

During the COVID 19 pandemic crisis, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Sectional Committee of IESL had partnered with the Biomedical Engineering group of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (DEEE) of Faculty of Engineering of University of Peradeniya to restore dysfunctional ventilators as a part of a project initiated jointly by University of Peradeniya and National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) .

At a time when the ventilators are hard to purchase from the market, the restoration of dysfunctional ventilators had emerged as a practical engineering solution to enhance the country’s health sector’s capacity to treat severely affected COVID 19 patients. Supported by the experience and academic strengths, Biomedical Engineering group of DEEE together with the Faculty of Medicine of University of Peradeniya came forward to assist the nation in such backdrop by undertaking this task. The first batch of 12 ventilators restored under this project were handed over to the Ministry of Health on April 11, 2020 at the DEEE premises.

A team of engineers lead by a group of experts in Biomedical Engineering in DEEE and the Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care of University of Peradeniya together with the technical staff and graduate students of DEEE worked together with a group of IESL corporate members who are past graduates of DEEE and several medical professional from Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, to provide manpower for this project. This team was able to complete the restoration of 12 units within mere 10 days displaying their commitment and expertise. The same team continues to work on this activity in addition to their engagement in the design work of a new ventilator.

The handing over event was graced by Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva – Deputy Director General of Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services Ministry in the presence of Prof. Upul B.Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor of University of Peradeniya, Prof. Saman Senaweera Director of NIFS, Dr. Arjuna Thilakarathne, Provincial Director of Health, the Deans of the faculties of Engineering and Medicine Prof. Gemunu Herath and Prof. Asiri Abeyagunawardena, Head of the DEEE, Prof. Manjula Fernando and the team of volunteers who worked on the project. Eng. Chamil Edirimuni attended the event representing IESL. Several key personalities representing other co-sponsors, Ceylex Engineering Pvt., Ltd, Lanka Oxygen Pvt., Ltd, and E/94, E/04, E/05, E/10 Batches of the faculty too were present.

Eng. Chamil Edirimuni
Chairman of Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Sectional Committee
on of the project sponsors and collaborators.