Celltel completes Rs.180m tsunami relief programme

RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION: Many lives were lost and millions of dollars worth of infrastructure facilities and private property were lost in the tsunami that hit the coastal belt of Sri Lanka on 26th December 2004.

Organisations worldwide had undertaken mostly to provide food, clothing, education equipment, medical attention and housing. However the rehabilitation of one important and necessary area of the social structure was left untouched, namely that of health infrastructure," 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 and Celltel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. to rehabilitate the Gramodaya Health Centres extending along the tsunami affected western, southern and eastern coastal belt to the value of Rs. 180 million.

The first Gramodaya Health Centre, of which construction commenced last year was completed and opened on January 14, 2006. The balance were built and completed the last being done so on February 28, 2007, thus bringing the total now in operation to 32.

Twelve of these health centres are in the Eastern Province. All were ceremonially opened by the Hon. Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition. These clinics are provided with furniture and fittings and hospital equipment too.

Last August the company undertook to build the final Gramodaya Health Centre under the 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.