The Government of India has committed to providing essential medical equipment worth approximately Rs. 600 million for the new Deniyaya Base Hospital. This initiative is part of the "Aftermath Cyclone Ditwah Project," which focuses on the restoration of health infrastructure following the environmental and geological risks posed by the Ditwah cyclone.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this donation was signed in the presence of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry premises today (13).
The agreement was officially signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha. This contribution aims to equip the new hospital with state-of-the-art medical technology, ensuring that the people of Deniyaya and surrounding areas in the Matara District have access to safer, high-quality, and more efficient healthcare services. Minister Jayatissa expressed his sincere gratitude to the Indian government for this financial support, emphasizing that it further strengthens the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The current Deniyaya Base Hospital is being relocated due to concerns over natural disaster risks, such as landslides, and limited space for expansion. The government has initiated a priority project to construct a new 300-bed modern base hospital on a plot of land identified at the Handford Estate, located approximately three kilometers from Deniyaya town. This site was selected following rigorous geological and technical assessments to ensure the safety and longevity of the new facility.
The total investment for the new hospital project is estimated at Rs. 6,000 million (Rs. 6 billion), and it will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will include the development of male, female, children's, and maternity wards, as well as operating theaters, intensive care units (ICU), an emergency treatment unit, and a blood bank. The facility is also designed to be environmentally friendly, disaster-resistant, and equipped with modern technology. Construction is expected to commence this year and be completed within three years.
