The Out-Patient Department (OPD) building of the Sri Lankan National Hospital has been handed over to Sri Lankan authorities yesterday (25).
The 08 storey building with 50,000 sq. metres, is the largest ever China-Aid project in Sri Lanka, is expected to be open to the public soon and would help the hospital’s daily handling capacity to 6,000 patients.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lankan Minister of Health – Keheliya Rambukwella, representing the two sides, signed the handover documents and attended a ceremony in Colombo to celebrate the event.
Noting that the Chinese government has prioritized the health sector in the development of bilateral relations, ambassador Qi said China has provided medical supplies and vaccines to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Noting the opening of the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital in Polonnaruwa, the largest specialized hospital on kidney diseases in South Asia, Qi said eight mobile labs gifted by China have been deployed last year to help detect chronic kidney disease in rural areas.
The ambassador also added that China has also provided emergency medicine supply to Sri Lanka, hoping China’s efforts could bring tangible benefits to front-line medical workers and patients.
Appreciating China’s long-term support, Rambukwella said that the outpatient building is a considerable and really needed project for the country’s health sector, and he is sure that medical professionals in the country will make the best use of it for the people, who will benefit immensely.
🇨🇳🏥🇱🇰The Out-Patient Department (OPD) building of the Sri Lankan National Hospital, the largest ever China-Aid project in #SriLanka with 8 stories, 50000 square meters area & a daily access of 6000 patients, was handed over to Lanka today. It's expected to open to public soon. pic.twitter.com/BOeJuyr1CL
— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) April 25, 2023
Forty four Sri Lankans who were in different prisons across the United Arab Emirates have been pardoned by a Royal order.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates has formally conveyed to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi that these Sri Lankan prisoners received pardon by the Royal order on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, April 2024.
These forty four Sri Lankans who have received the Royal pardon will be repatriated to Sri Lanka by the Government of the United Arab Emirates in due course. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi will collaboratively coordinate with the United Arab Emirates Government authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka to ensure their safe repatriation.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi Udaya Indrarathne wishes to extend his deep appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates, and its Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior for making arrangements to pardon these Sri Lankans. The Embassy of Sri Lanka appreciates the empathy and generosity shown by the leadership of the UAE in this regard.
The sea areas along the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota may see a rise in the swell waves today (3) approximately 2.5 m – 3.0 m height and wave period around 12s-16s, according to the Department of Meteorology.
Nearshore water areas off the coast that stretch from Kalpitiya to Matara to Galle and Colombo are likely to see surges as a result of swell waves.
Choppy seas are expected in offshore areas extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
It is recommended that the fishing and naval communities exercise caution when conducting their operations in the above-water regions and were further requested to be on alert on future forecasts released by the Met. Department.