The Government has not forgotten the yeoman services discharged by the war heroes in ending terrorism. It has endowed an outstanding gift to them to express its gratitude. It is a fully fledged Military Hospital.
The President vested the Military Hospital one of the most modern Hospital equipped with all facilities, in the war heroes.
The Army Medical Service which was launched 133 years ago with eight members has achieved magnanimous development becoming not only the best in the South Asian region, but also one of the most modern establishments in the world providing medical facilities. Making it more meaningful, the Government took the initiative of constructing this Military Hospital with ten storeys. It has been modernized expending a sum of 6500 million rupees. A similar expenditure has been expended in providing the most modern equipment. Marking yet another watershed in the annals of the Army, President Rajapaksa declared open the Military Hospital at Narahenpita at an auspicious time this morning.
After arriving at the Hospital premises, President Rajapaksa unveiled the plaque amidst the chanting of Pirith. After registering the first patient of the hospital, the President observed all its sections.
The Complex comprises 20 wards and can provide residential treatment to 1024 patients. The Military Hospital provides Sterilization and Supply Division facilities, a more spacious OPD section, MRI Scanning Facilities, a roof top chopper pad, automatic x-ray screening machines, two modular operations theatres, Pathology Laboratory, Radiology Unit and a Dermatology Unit. It also has Medical Air and Nurses calling facilities and an auditorium with 314 seats for the conduct of lectures. It is to be manned entirely by professionally-trained personnel for both administrative and medical duties. Construction work on this hospital was carried by the Army Engineering Service Force, at the behest of the President and under the direct supervision of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
A first Day cover and a commemorative stamp were issued marking the opening of the Hospital. It took place with the participation of Deputy Minister Sanath Jayasuriya and Secretary to the Ministry of Posts Hemasiri Fernando. Thereafter the President placed his signature in the visitor’s book.
Expressing his views on the occasion Commander of the Army Lt. General Daya Ratnayake said that Sri Lanka is the only country in the world where the world’s deadliest terrorism was vanquished and where the soldiers are extended the best welfare facilities even after retirement.
The Army Commander mentioned that the United States does not take good care of soldiers who fought in battles for the country or those who have retired from service. Lt. Gen. Ratnayake, emphasized that the new Military Hospital gives far better care to its war heroes when compared to countries such as the US. He pointed out that the US spends heavily on war but it is sad to see the condition in what US soldiers who are involved in battles are in and those who have retired are in.
He said that recently when he had met some soldiers in the US and explained to them how Sri Lanka takes care of its soldiers, they had said that they should be born in Sri Lanka in the next life.
Many people’s representatives including Ministers Maithripala Sirisena and Salinda Dissanayake and Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, many senior Government officials, Chiefs of the Armed Forces and several senior military officials graced the occasion.
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