Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced that a fully equipped, state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to heart patients will soon be constructed near the Colombo National Hospital at a cost of Rs. 13 billion.
The Minister made this revelation during visits this morning (02) to the Malwathu Maha Viharaya and the Asgiri Maha Viharaya in Kandy, where he met with the Chief Prelates of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters.
At the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, he received blessings from the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero, and held a brief discussion. He later visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and met the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, where he also received blessings and exchanged views.
During these meetings, Minister Jayatissa outlined the people-oriented health programs currently being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, including the nationwide establishment of ‘Health and Wellness Centers’ as a new initiative of the government. He noted that 100 such centers are scheduled to be opened this year. Under the pilot project, the fourth center will be inaugurated this afternoon in Polgollawatta, Kandy, while the fifth will open in Dankanda, Matale.
The Mahanayake Theros commended the initiatives, observing that they would help reduce patient congestion in major hospitals across the country. The Minister also briefed them on the current status and future development plans of the Kandy National Hospital.
