Health sector achievements:

Sri Lanka second to none –President

*Country built on a healthy foundation

*We value our people and humanity more

President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that it was his firm belief that the nation was on the correct path, and would cross the threshold to victory, not only in defeating terrorism but in other spheres as well, in spite of efforts by some international elements backed by a few locals with vested interests, to portray the country as a failed state.

“We are a nation which has a healthy foundation historically, with roots embedded in strong, cultural and morale values. Thus it is not easy for foreign originated diseases to invade the country and infect us” he observed.

The President made these comments addressing the nursing fraternity at Temple Trees yesterday, at an event organized by the Public Services United Nurses Union, to mark International Nurses Day which also coincides with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, considered as the pioneer of modern nursing.

Addressing the gathering which included Healthcare and Nutrition Minister, Ministry officials, Cabinet Ministers and a large gathering of nurses. the President said “we have shown to the world that we are second to none when it comes to achievements in the health sector.”

“Thus we have effectively portrayed to the globe, that we are indeed a very healthy nation”, the President said adding that similar gains would be made in other major sectors as well, in the not too distant future, which would propel the country to greater heights.

While describing the local health facilities as on par with the best in the world, the President attributed the countries success in this sector to proper financing, guidance, an unwavering policy and selfless commitment by health sector stakeholders.

President Rajapaksa also noted that the present Government would go down in history as one which gave maximum support to the uplift of the health sector.

He pointed out to facts such as eradicating the nurses shortage with 15,000 new appointees, salary/perk increases, training according to international standards with Degree levels in the pipeline and creating an effective demand globally for Lankan nursing talent as ones behind the success story.

“Not only in the health sector, under this Government vast strides have been made in others as well. Today five harbours are coming up simultaneously at varied locations in the country for the first time in its history” the President observed.

“Also at this moment we must not forget the selfless commitment displayed by our brave and heroic Security Forces engaged in the task of saving the country from terrorism. If similar united efforts comes from our public sector employees and the masses in general the country would be second to none in the world map” he added.

However, on a more cautious note the President noted that if the masses had not taken the path of ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ in the decisive elections in 2005, the course taken by the country may have changed for the worse.

“Look at the types and hauls of weapons, being unearthed by the Security Forces in the North, and just imagine the consequences if these weapons were put to their intended destructive use by terrorists” he added. Thus you all have a responsibility to treat these heroes, thinking them as your own brothers, sisters or sons, daughters, the President said.

The President also stressed that due to the present efforts, the attempts to divide the country had been defeated. He also vowed to never let the ugly head of separatism raise its head again. During the event the President also praised the progress of the Nurses Union headed by Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda Thera, which gave leadership to more than 20000 nurses today starting from a mere 13 members some years back.

The Union also donated Rs. 2.5 million to the President on the occasion to be used for relief activities in the North.

(P) The event organized by the Public Services United Nurses Union which is headed by Ven.Muruttetuwe Ananda Thera was also attended by Healthcare Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Health Ministry officials, Ministers and a large gathering of Nurses.