The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health’s secretary, Anil Jasinghe, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an Indian grant to supply advanced medical equipment to Base Hospital, Deniyaya. This grant, totaling SLR 600M, will enhance critical units such as Emergency, Operating Theatres, HDU, and the Special Care Baby Unit at the hospital. The initiative aims to support the hospital’s relocation to a secure, disaster-resilient zone.
Part of India’s USD 450M rehabilitation package for Sri Lanka’s post-Cyclone Ditwah recovery, this grant signifies India’s enduring commitment to a safe and resilient neighborhood. The High Commissioner emphasized that the grant will strengthen healthcare infrastructure in both India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, last month, the High Commissioner facilitated the transfer of military equipment to the Sri Lankan Army for their United Nations deployment under a grant of 5.5 million USD.
India’s support extends beyond healthcare, as evidenced by the recent handover of two Personal Watercrafts (PWCs) and safety gear to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. This assistance aims to enhance the Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s capabilities in near-shore Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Furthermore, India’s humanitarian efforts were demonstrated in April when two BHISM cubes were presented to Sri Lankan authorities under India’s ‘Aarogya Maitri’ initiative, showcasing the ongoing collaboration between the two nations in various sectors.
