Rs. 85,000m allocated for NCP health services

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Opposition talks about the poor health service in the North Central Province but during the UNP rule, only Rs.14,000 million (only 0.1 per cent from the National Budget) had been allocated for the province.

This Government has allocated Rs.85,000 million (2.6 per cent from the National Budget) for the North Central Province, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. Minister de Silva said the life expectancy of Sri Lankans has gone up by 10 years and Sri Lanka has recorded best health indicators among South Asian countries. Sri Lanka recorded the lowest maternal death rate and underweight child births in the region.

The Government allocated Rs.14,000 only to buy drugs. But surprisingly for the JVP and the UNP, Sri Lanka's health service has gone down, he said.

Agriculture and Mahaweli Development Minister Maithreepla Sirisena said no previous Government has launched of development programmes like this government." The Government's development projects have reached every corner of Sri Lanka including the North and East. Certain political parties are trying sabotage the Government's development drive but it will not be successful," he said.

The two ministers were addressing after opening newly facilities built at a cost of Rs.80 million and launching the construction work of new building complex at the Polonnaruwa General Hospital.