Who We Are
We are an organization dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare and education in Sri Lanka, with a strong focus on long-term sustainability and community wellbeing.
Mission & Values
AUSLMAT’s mission is to improve access to quality healthcare and education in Sri Lanka, guided by our commitment to long-term sustainability, community wellbeing, and equitable opportunity.
Since our founding in 2004, we have focused on strengthening the Sri Lankan public healthcare system by upskilling healthcare professionals and supporting hospital capacity building. Through lectures, workshops, and educational sessions, as well as the provision of essential medicines and medical equipment, we aim to empower local staff and enhance the quality of care provided to communities in need.
As a non-political organization, AUSLMAT has supported over 25 public hospitals across all regions of Sri Lanka, from the North to the South and from the East to the West, reflecting our commitment to a nationwide impact.
In 2019, we expanded our mission to include education through the Keep Kids in School (KKS) program, supporting schoolchildren in remote and rural areas. By providing essential school materials such as textbooks, stationery, uniforms, shoes, and bags, we help children from financially disadvantaged families stay in school and complete their education through Year 12.
Through our healthcare and education initiatives, AUSLMAT remains dedicated to building stronger communities and empowering individuals to achieve a healthier, brighter future for people in Sri Lanka.
History
In the immediate aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, a group of Australian doctors travelled to Sri Lanka to provide emergency medical care and deliver essential medicines and equipment to devastated communities. Among them were cardiologists Dr Quintus de Zylva and Dr Jennifer Johns, orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Young, and paediatrician Dr Sean Hughes.
This humanitarian response marked the beginnings of the Australia Sri Lanka Medical Aid Team (AUSLMAT). In 2005, AUSLMAT was formally established as an Australian not-for-profit charity under the leadership of Melbourne cardiologist Dr Quintus de Zylva.
Although the crisis that brought AUSLMAT together has passed, the need for support remains. For more than 20 years, AUSLMAT has continued to work alongside Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system and underserved communities, helping strengthen healthcare services and improve access to essential care.
Up to date, AUSLMAT contributed more than AUD $10 million worth of medical equipment and medicines to Sri Lanka and in August 2026, the organisation successfully completed its 30th medical mission. Our missions have included education and training for hospital staff, free medical, dental, optical, podiatry and allied health clinics, as well as ongoing support for schools, orphanages and remote communities.
From an emergency response born out of a natural disaster, AUSLMAT has grown into a long-term partnership dedicated to strengthening healthcare, building local capacity and creating sustainable benefits for communities across Sri Lanka.
Governance
The AUSLMAT Committee is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and comprises the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and ten committee members with designated portfolios. All committee members serve on a voluntary basis, generously contributing their time and expertise.
In 2025, the AUSLMAT Youth Group was established as an independent body, undertaking its own projects and fundraising activities in alignment with AUSLMAT’s mission and objectives.
More than 95% of all donations received are directed towards the purchase of medicines and medical equipment, with the remaining funds allocated to essential logistical and administrative expenses, including audit fees, stationery, and transport costs for consignments. AUSLMAT’s financial statements are externally audited and publicly available through the ACNC website.
AUSLMAT receives numerous requests for assistance with medicines and medical equipment from medical specialists across Sri Lanka. Given finite resources, requests are carefully assessed and prioritized based on urgency and available funding. The organization works closely with medical specialists, hospital administrators, and the Ministry of Health to ensure that all donations are utilized efficiently, transparently and responsibly, focusing on long-term sustainability and productivity.
A/Prof Erosha Premaratne
President
Erosha is a Consultant Endocrinologist and General Physician practicing at Austin Health, Northern Health and Warringal Private Hospital in Melbourne. After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1996, she received a further Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) from the same University in 2006 and currently serves as an academic there. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and has been a clinical examiner, educational supervisor and mentor for junior doctors. She specializes in the treatment of diabetes and obesity, insulin pump therapy, general endocrinology and obstetric medicine. She continues to be engaged in clinical research in the areas of diabetic kidney disease and gestational diabetes. She has conducted many public health seminars and has provided health advice on ethnic radio programs.
Erosha has initiated and participated in many charitable causes in Sri Lanka over the years and under her leadership AUSLMAT has raised over AUD 500,000 which was spent on medicines and medical equipment for public hospitals in Sri Lanka.
A/Prof Andrew Cochrane
Vice President
Andrew is a cardothoracic surgeon with over 20 years of consultant experience in both adulth and paediatric cardiac surgey. He undertook his advanced training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Alfred Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital, and in the United Kingdom. He was a consultant cardiac surgeon at Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane (1993 to 1995), and then at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne form 1995 to 2008. He has been a surgeon at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton since 2003.
Andrew enjoys managing all aspects of adult and adolescent cardiac and thoracic surgical care. Andrew has developed the adolescent and adult congenital heart surgery program at Monash Medical Centre for patents who require either initial or on-going surgery of heart defects present since birth. He is actively involved in research, in particular for kidney impairment after heart surgery. He is an assistant editor for Heart Lung & Circulation, and a reviewer for several other journals. He is extensively involved in surgical training and education, and is the chair of the science and education committee for the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery.
Andrew has been a regular contributor to the AUSLMAT cause attending several medical missions and performing everything from health checks to surgical procedures.
Dr. Quintus De Zylva
Chairman
Quintus is a Consultant Physician practicing at Moorabbin and Epworth Richmond. Prevously a consultant at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Tutor at the Medical Faculty University of Melbourne. Awarded the Overseas Services Medal by the Commonwealth Government in 2005 for services rendered to Sri Lanka soon after the Asian tsunami of 2004. AUSLMAT have visited Sri Lanka more than 30 times since the first visit two days after the tsunami. His work and AUSLMAT’s has centered on the south and east coast and AUSLMAT were responsible in convicing the Victorian Government of the need to build a new Accident & Emergercy Unit at the Karapitiya Hospital, when the Hon. Steve Bracks was Premier of Victoria.
Dr Hashinee Weraduwage
Secretary
Hashinee is a GP practising in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. She graduated from the University of Adelaide and worked in SA for several years before returning back to Melbourne in 2020. Since migrating to Australia from Sri Lanka in 2003, she has been making frequent trips back and maintains a strong connection to the country and the well-being of its people.
Hashinee is currently the administrator of our Keep Kids in School (KKS) programme, which provides financial support to a group of school children in Tissamaharama.
Ryan Miles
Treasurer
Ryan Miles was appointed to the committee in 2025.
Ryan is an experienced nfp leader. Having held the convening executive role for the Australian Backcountry Festival, leading their reformation into a national presence. Ryan brings to AUSLMAT their experience in governance and leadership from a career across the Victorian Alpine and Water sectors. Having been involved in AUSLMAT since its inception, Ryan is excited to continue the AUSLMAT mission.
Christine Michael
Committee Member
Christine is a recently retired nurse after an enjoyable 40 -year career, including many years as a Blood Management Nurse Consultant at Monash Health. Inspired by her son’s vision, Christine and her family organized Pedal Sri Lanka, a 1350km charity cycling event along the coast of Sri Lanka in 2024 that raised AUD 62,000 for critical cardiac equipment for Lady Ridgeway Children’s hospital. AUSLMAT played a vital role as the chosen charity partner, ensuring these life-saving contributions reached those in need. Now, as a new AUSLMAT committee member, Christine is excited to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Dr. Nalin Dayawansa
Committee Member
Nalin is a medical doctor currently completing training in Cardiology. He graduated from Monash University prior to undertaking physician training at The Alfred Hospital, followed by advanced training in Cardiology at The Northern Hospital. As the son of Sri Lankan migrants, Nalin is passionate about supporting medical capacity development in Sri Lanka and has been a member of the AUSLMAT committee since 2019.
Dr Pavithra Amadoruge
Committee Member
Pavithra is a medical doctor from Melbourne and a graduate of The University of Melbourne. Pavithra has contributed to AUSLMAT since 2011, attending a number of medical missions and by holding the position of Secretary in the past.
Dr. Jay Mudiyanse
Committee Member
Jay Mudiyanse is an Emergency Physician and General Practitioner working across Northern Health and Austin Health in Melbourne. A medical graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, he is committed to building global clinician networks and developing educational platforms that connect international expertise with Sri Lanka.
Dilu Rupassara
Committee Member
With extensive experience working across Melbourne’s health services and the Department of Health, Dilu specialises in Implementation Science, strategic management, and stakeholder engagement to drive healthcare improvements. She enhances patient outcomes, boosts accessibility, and ensures the needs of diverse communities are met.
Dilu is currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Dual Honors Biology and Psychology, an M.Sc. in General and Medical Microbiology, and an MBA in Health Management.
Ms. Manori Fonseka
Committee Member
After completing my degree in Business Administration at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura in Sri Lanka, I moved to Melbourne and successfully ran my own Vodafone dealership for eight years. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy gardening, painting, and travelling. I am deeply passionate about helping underprivileged children gain access to quality education and supporting families in building healthy, safe, and financially stable lives. Guided by this passion, I have volunteered in several AUSLMAT missions, where I have been involved in charitable initiatives such as donating to hospitals and supporting patients and families in need.
Gordon Miles
Previous office bearer
Gordon has been in the Information Technology industry for most of his career and became involved in AUSLMAT back in 2005 in building a data link between the Karapitiya Hospital in Gall and Melbourne so that visiting doctors could monitor patients remotely between visits. He visited Sri Lanka for the first time in 2010 and fell in love with the country and its people. He has been AUSLMAT’s Treasurer since late 2015 and has been instrumental in Registering AUSLMAT with the ACNC as recognised charity, attracting the ACNC’s “tick of approval”. He also negotiated with the ATO to have AUSLMAT registered for tax deductible donations, a process otherwise known as achieving Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.
Roger Fredman
Previous office bearer
Roger is an IT and business process engineering professional by trade, with significant experience in the private and public sector. He joined AUSLMAT in 2014 and was one of the non-medico attendees on the 2015 medical mission. Both he and his wife Rebecca are from the United States and are now living in Australia, which brought them into the fold of AUSLMAT.
Dr Jennifer Johns AM
Previous office bearer
Jennifer is a renowned Victorian cardiologist with a plethora of accolades. She was elected President of the National Heart Foundation of Australia in 2014 – the first woman to take the role since the charity was established in 1959. Jennifer more recently held the position of Medical Director of Specialty Services CSU at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, where she has worked since 1987. Jennifer also practices in the Victorian Heart Centre at Epworth Hospital and has been President of the Victorian Heart Foundation Board since 2009. Graduating from the University of Melburne in 1976, Jennifer’s postgraduate training included 2 years at West Suffolk Hospital in thr UK and cardiology training at the Austin Hospital and Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
She was awarded a National Heart Foundation Clinical Scholarship and continued her studies at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston between 1984 and 1987, studying the role of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Her major interests include the management of valvular heart disease, echocardiography, management of heart failure, health ecnomics and teaching. Jennifer also has strong interest in women’s health issues and is a mentor for female cardiologists.
In 2015, she was recognised for nearly 40 years of work in medicine by being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. In a long line of achievements, Jennifer received the Premier’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Victorian Public Health Awards in 2011 and an Australia Day Achievement Award in 2008 for work at the Autin Hospital. Jennifer will make her 14th trip to Sri Lanka this year (2017) as part of the Australia Sri Lanka Medical Team – AUSLMAT. The group has helped vulnerable people following the Boxing Day tsunami, providing medical equipment, education and assistanceat rural hospitals. She is the ex-vice president of AUSLMAT, having stepped down from the role at the end of 2018.
Preethi De Silva
Previous office bearer
Preethi is a credentialed Diabetes Educator working in the community health setting in Noth Western Victoria. She also has many years of experience in surgical nursing, mostly in urology in senior positions at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Cabrini. Her current work involves clinic consultations, group education and presentations to community groups. She is also involved in the Stepping Up project in collaboration with Melbourne University, Department of General Practice , to help GPs manage insulin initiation in the community. Preethi has been involved with AUSLMAT for many years.
Dr. Koshala Rupassara
Previous office bearer
Dr. Koshala Rupassara is an experienced General Practitioner (GP) currently practicing at Aspendale Gardens Medical Centre. He has a diverse medical background and extensive international experience. After graduating with an MBBS from the University of Peradeniya in 1997 he moved to the United Kingdom where he completed his surgical training and obtained the prestigious Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) qualification in Edinburgh. He now specializes in general practice with a focus on minor surgical procedures, skin cancer, and musculoskeletal conditions. In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Rupassara was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Rupassara is deeply committed to community service and global medical aid. He is an active member of AUSLMAT where he contributes to charitable healthcare initiatives. Dr. Rupassara also plays a leadership role in the Peradeniya University Alumni Australia Victoria Chapter (PUAAViC) as President, and serves as Vice President of the Peradeniya Medical Students Alumni Association (PEMSAA) for the 2025-2026 term.
Geoff Matthews
Previous office bearer
Geoff is a seasoned Senior Business Executive with extensive experience in the Information Technology industry. He has held leadership roles in General Management, Operations, Sales, and Marketing across both large multinational corporations and smaller enterprises. In addition to his corporate career, Geoff has been actively involved in the not-for-profit sector, including serving as a board director.
He joined AUSLMAT in late 2022 and was a non-medical volunteer on the 2023 medical mission.