Fresh ‘hope’ for cancer hospital

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena will present a Cabinet paper to re-commence the construction of the Hope Cancer Hospital launched by the Sri Lankan test cricket team.

The total cost of the project has been estimated Rs. 1,400 million, a Health Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman, the building complex is to be sponsored by a British organization named Ahmed

T Group.

The group has expressed its willingness to donate Rs 850 million for this.

The government will spend Rs. 400 million for the infrastructure facilities development and another Rs. 200 million to buy medical equipment. The entire project will cost Rs 1,400 million, he said.

The Sri Lankan cricket team commenced the project named ‘hope’ to build a cancer hospital for children. It was stopped due to several reasons. The Cabinet paper will request for Cabinet approval to re-commence the project, he added.