General Hospital to benefit Southern region

Sri Lanka is one of the few countries where free education and medical facilities are provided to the people. Even the international community has appreciated this, said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake, Deputy Water Supply and Drainage Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa, Netherlands Ambassador to Sri Lanka Louis W M Piet, MP Namal Rajapaksa and Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr Nihal Jaytilaka laying foundation stones. Picture by Raja Waidyasekera, Tissamaharama special corr

The minister said so at a meeting following the foundation stone laying ceremony of the proposed general hospital which will cater to the growing requirements of healthcare facilities in the Hambantota, Moneragala and Ratnapura districts.

The minister said the Netherlands government is funding the construction work of this hospital in Hambantota. The construction work of this hospital was to be inaugurated about a year ago. It was delayed due to the shortcomings of various state sectors.

This will be a fully fledged hospital when the construction work comes to an end, the minster said, adding he was glad that this legacy will be vested with the people during the time of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

During the past six months, hospital projects were launched and completed around the country. These investments will strengthen the health sector especially benefiting the underprivileged masses.

"Conducting free education and free health services in a country is a laborious task. We have undertaken that challenge with dedication," the Health Minister said.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa who attended the ceremony said when implementing mega projects such as this, it should be considered whether it is an environment-friendly one. The Environment Authority is a stumbling block most of the time when mega projects are implemented, he said.

"We are servants of the people not masters. As such, whatever we do, they must be for the benefit of the people. The Opposition must join hands with this type of mega projects because the ruling party and the Opposition both work for the benefit of the people," he said.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake, Deputy Water Supply and Drainage Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa, Netherlands Ambassador to Sri Lanka Louis W M Piet, MP Namal Rajapaksa and Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr Nihal Jaytilaka were present.