The Secretary to the Ministry of Defense Karunasena Hettiarachchi on Monday handed over the Navy ambulance water craft to President Maithripala Sirisena at a ceremony in Kilinochchi. The President in turn handed over the craft to the Director for Health Services of Northern Province who accepted the craft on behalf of the Governor of the Northern Province. The 47.5 feet long craft was built under the directive and guidance of the Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, at the Navy's Inshore Patrol Craft Construction Project (IPCCP) at Welisara. A Navy crew will operate the craft which will be secured at the naval jetty in Delft Island. The purpose-built craft at a cost of Rs. 37 million has facilities to accommodate 15 patients and equipped with three medical beds, two oxygen cylinders, IV stands, BP and patient monitoring facilities and all other necessities. The special design of the craft will enable it to sail smoothly even in rough seas minimizing any discomfort to the patients due to rapid movement of the craft. The craft would be a great relief to transfer patients of northern islets requiring immediate medical attention to hospitals in the mainland, the Navy said.