New medical faculty in Ratnapura to be opened on January 17

A new medical faculty which was constructed at a cost of Rs 2000 million will be declared open in Batuhena, Ratnapura on January 17.

The faculty which is affiliated with the Sabaragamuwa University will be opened by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

The opening of this faculty would see the completion of eight health faculties in nine provinces.

A fully equipped hostel will be made available to the students as accommodation.

Meanwhile, the Ratnapura General Hospital will be converted into a teaching hospital on the same day in order to improve the free medical service provided by the government, the hospital's director Dr. Sampath Ranaweera said.

Issuing a press release, the Health Ministry stated that three new faculties are set to be opened in affiliation with the Sabaragamuwa, Wayamba, and Moratuwa universities.

Further, the Ratnapura General Hospital, Kuliyapitiya Base hospital, Kalutara General Hospital, and the Moratuwa district hospital are set to be refurbished in order to facilitate students of these faculties to engage in practical learning.

Ministers Rauff Hakeem and Thalatha Athukorale will be amongst the guests to grace the occasion.