ASHRAFF A SAMAD
COLOMBO : The youth-led non-governmental organization, The Capsaicinaz LM Foundation (CLM), founded in November 2020 was formally launched on Sunday, November 27 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel by its founder and managing director, Zainab Rafeek, daughter of Dr, H M Rafeek and Feroza Rafeek, teacher at Wycherley’s International School.
The event held under the patronage of the Chief guest, Justice A.H.M.D Nawaz,Honorable judge of the Supreme Court, Guest-of- honor Dr .Prof Jean Perera- Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,Faculty of Medicine ,University of Colombo , Guest of Honor Dr.Lanka Jayasuriya Desanayake ,Chairperson of Indra Cancer Trust.
Commending the efforts of the young leader, Zainab, Justice Nawaz said that she has excelled in the field of social service by focusing on mental and physical health. He said he was glad to see an enthusiastic young group is supporting her leadership to give the best to the nation.
The other guests included Tareq Muhammed Ariful Islam, High commissioner of Bangladesh,Major General, Umar Farooq Burki High Commissioner of Pakistan, Charge de Affaires of the Palestine embassy, Hesham Abu Taha and 1st Secretary of Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Dr Khalid Makkie.
Making her opening speech, Zainab Rafeek,said : “ Our fundamental mission revolves around serving our community and our country by promoting the importance of taking care of both our Physical Health, as well as our Mental Health by raising awareness of the need to support those battling mental ill-health. We further aim to improve accessibility to Professional Care, connect Cancer and Cardiac patients with Palliative Support and link people with Professional Advisors on Nutrition and Complementary Medicine to promote overall well-being, via a trilingual platform.
Over the past two years, our organization has engaged in several projects, particularly in the arena of Mental Health, with a view of creating awareness and providing support to those struggling amidst the ongoing global pandemic. We have held a number of online sessions with professionals working in the field of Mental Health Support and Cancer Awareness, including conversations with Clinical Psychologists and Psychological Counsellors.
Given that we are unique in our support of not one, but four important health-centric causes (Mental Health, Cancer, Cardiac Disease, Nutritional Fitness and Complimentary Medicine), we not only aim to support our citizens but also proactively advocate for a healthier and more constructive society. This includes our current two endeavours in compiling proposals for legal reforms under the introduction of a Mental Health Act in Sri Lanka and legal reforms for Corporal Punishment on children.”
