Celltel completes Rs 180 million tsunami relief programme

Relief programme: Celltel Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. has invested Rs.180 million to rehabilitate the Gramodaya Health Centres along the tsunami affected western, southern and eastern coastal belt.

"We believe that rehabilitation is one important and necessary area of the social structure," said CEO Celltel, Dumindra Ratnayaka.

In these circumstances, after discussions with the Ministry of Health, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in March 2005 between the Government of Sri Lanka to rebuild and develop these centers.

The first Gramodaya Health Centre, for which construction commenced last year was completed and opened on 14th January 2006. The balance were built and completed, thus bringing the total now in operation to 32. Twelve of these Health Centres are in the Eastern province. These clinics are provided with furniture, fittings and hospital equipment.

Last August the company undertook to build the final Gramodaya Health Centre under this programme in Thambuluvil, which is about 20 kms north of Pottuvil. This is an area that was very badly affected by the tsunami and much in need of a strong health infrastructure.

"With the construction of this Health Centre at Thambuluvil, Celltel Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd covered the entire tsunami affected coastline, extending from Panadura to the North of Batticaloa".

When fully completed and functional there is no doubt this project will bring much joy and satisfaction to all those who participated in making it a reality. Gramodaya Health Centres are a boon and indeed bring much relief to those folk who live in difficult conditions in extreme rural areas, and also to those in the tsunami affected areas of this country.

Exactly two years after signing the agreement with the ministry of healthcare and nutrition Celltel Lanka (pvt.) ltd completed and handed over 32 Gramodaya health Centres to the people in the tsunami affected areas whereas most others are still struggling to serve, genuinely or not.

The company has in the true sense of the word, made this gesture to alleviate the suffering of the people in these areas by improving and developing a vital requirement for human survival - the health infrastructure." Dumindra Ratnayaka - CEO, Tigo.