The eight-storey Outpatient Department (OPD) complex of the Colombo National Hospital, gifted by the People's Republic of China, was officially handed over by China to Sri Lanka today (25).
China's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong handed over the new complex to Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at a ceremony held at the National Hospital this morning.
The complex, built at a cost of more than USD 80 million, is one of the largest ever donations gifted to Sri Lanka by China in recent times. The complex is set to be equipped with a variety of units, including an Accident Service, OPD, a Cafeteria, a Primary Care Unit, Radiology Unit, surgical theatres, Plastic Surgery Clinic, Rabies Treatment Unit, Cancer Unit and Hemophilia Unit, the Health Ministry stated.
Addressing the ceremony, Health Minister Rambukwella thanked the Chinese government and its people for donating such an enormous life-saving project to Sri Lanka. He reminded that this was not the first time that China has given such important support to Sri Lanka, pointing out that it has been ever ready to lend crucial support to Sri Lanka whenever it is required.
He noted that the project was initiated at the request made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his tenure and that the Chinese government had decided then that the project will be a grant and not a loan that will have to be repaid.
Mr Rambukwella also paid tribute to the Chinese Ambassador, stating that he worked tirelessly to ensure that the project is completed.
My memory takes me back to 1979, to a moment etched in time when a strikingly tall and impeccably dressed military officer, a Master in charge of Cadeting at Prince of Wales College commanding a guard of honour presented to President J.R. Jayawardene by the cadets of 3CCC, consisted of Ananda, Nalanda and Prince of Wales Cadet platoons at the Prince of Wales College grounds.
An American national, who had been staying in Sri Lanka for nearly ten months without a valid visa while using a Sinhala name under his American passport, was arrested by the Tourist Police of the Kandy.
A Sri Lankan wanted for financial frauds and under a red notice was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport along with his wife and child as they were returning from India, Police said.
The Government is considering abolishing the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (OCDS) when the term of office of its incumbent General Shavendra Silva ends on December 31.
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