28 July 2021 12:00 am Views - 908
Dr Harsha de Silva, MP, Mr Dumindra Ratnayake Chairman, Dr Mrs Sudharshani Fernandopulle State Minister in charge of 1990 Suwa Seriya, Mrs Sandya Salgado and Mr Sohan de Silva, CEO at the opening of the Substation Office at the Mirihana Police Station recently.
Dr. Harsha de Silva, Founder of 1990 Suwa Seriya Pre Hospital Care Ambulance Service, stated that 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service, which was launched amidst various obstacles, celebrated its fifth anniversary yesterday on July 28. He emphasized that the infrastructure needed to be further developed to enhance the service rendered to the country by this service in the future.
He pointed out that at a time when the country was facing the Covid-19 epidemic, the magnificent service rendered to the country by this service was now being honoured by the entire country.
“Today, this service is celebrating its fifth anniversary with great pride. I salute all, most importantly the almost 1,500 Suwa Seriya staff led voluntarily by Mr. Dumindra Ratnayake and the Board along with CEO Mr. Sohan de Silva who are totally committed to this service and responsible for having brought it to where it is today. It is very important to further develop over the coming decade the service rendered to the people by this service during these five years. Therefore, on this occasion of the fifth anniversary of this service, I urge the Government to study the future needs and take steps to further strengthen the infrastructure facilities of this service. It will definitely be a very important social investment,” he said.
The ‘1990 Suwa Seriya’ pilot project was launched on July 28, 2016 in the Western and Southern Provinces using 88 ambulances, with a grant of US $ 7.6 million from India. Following the success of this pilot project, India again donated US $ 15.2 million to Sri Lanka to launch the ambulance service island wide. People of Sri Lanka are most grateful to the people of India and PM Modi for this gift. At present, 297 Suwa Seriya ambulances are operational throughout the country and is managed entirely at the expense of the Government through the Suwa Seriya Foundation established by 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation Act No. 18 of 2018.