The young and the old she has remembered them all

The young and the old she has remembered them all

Sri Lankan researcher and developer Charishma Wickremesinghe who has been recognized for her achievements, especially in Australia, launches her own brand of bio-degradable products for the elderly and the very young

By Dhananjani Silva, Pix by J. Weerasekera

Charishma Wickremesinghe is someone striving to bring about change in society. The statement is sweeping but she is indeed a woman who thinks big. Her vision is to deal with issues affecting the environment and human life. Recognised as the Australian of the Year for three consecutive years in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Charishma also received the International Business Award for 2007 given by the International Business Council, the Exponential Award presented by the American Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and the People’s Choice in Australia award presented by the New Inventors’ Council in 2006. Her biography was listed in the Who’s Who of Australian Women in 2008. The launch of Charishma’s Medpro products. Now back in Sri Lanka, this researcher and developer has turned her attention to coming up with a solution for those distressed over the issue of incontinence or bladder weakness. The bio-degradable and low cost incontinence products and baby diapers she has developed were introduced to the Sri Lankan market earlier this month. Speaking at the launch of Charishma’s Medpro products, Founder President and Director, Lanka Alzheimer's Foundation Tami Tamittegama says her products “greatly benefit both ends in the cycle of earth – adults as well as babies. The fact that they are natural and easily bio-degradable is something that needs applause.” Incontinence is a common problem that can affect anyone -- be it male, female, young or old. It is known that one in four women and one in ten men will be faced with this predicament at some stage in their life. Charishma says she realized there is very little choice in terms of incontinence products available in Sri Lanka compared to the range of products that you find abroad. The products available are often for the bedridden and not for those who move around or work. “People can get a weak bladder after certain surgeries or after childbirth. There are people who have this issue but still work, who engage in sports etc. But there is no product suitable for them. Making them feel confident and secure enough to lead a normal life is what I focused on,” she explains, adding that she also realized that products available in the market cater only to a limited section of society due to their high cost. “People in this condition need to use them regularly. My aim was to reach to every home in this country. So with my background, I thought of doing something for them,” she says. Her background is indeed worthy of mention. Having moved to Australia in 1999 with her family, Charishma followed the Post Graduate Diploma in Technology and Design at Curtin University which led to a lot of research into the problem of landfill. Her first assignment for the course, she says, was on disposable destruction while her last project was on disposable nappies. “On completion of the Masters, I started research on fibre and how it could affect mankind,” she elaborates. In 2003 she established the company Senevens International in Australia which develops bio-degradable disposable nappies. These nappies are biodegradable within three months as opposed to the normal ones that take years to degrade. Charishma Wickremesinghe Her move back to Sri Lanka came in 2008 for “there is no place like home,” she felt. Subsequently, she established the Thames Johve D’Neil Research Centre and CMW Research Centre this year. The former identifies issues that are a threat to human life, environment and develops methods to deal with the problems while CMW handles the science and technology side, says Charishma who is the founder chairperson of both companies. The Medpro incontinence products and baby diapers she developed to suit the local market at an affordable price are clinically tested in Sri Lanka. The product is simple and comes without unnecessary and elaborate packing. “That helps bring down the cost,” she says. Charisma is also supporting the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation because most patients afflicted with the illness have urinary issues too. In addition, she manufactures and distributes colostomy bags to the needy, through hospitals free of charge. Currently studying for her PhD, life has not been without challenges, she says adding that those commonly faced by inventors – a group often vulnerable to intellectual property theft has been something she has had to contend with.