By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha De Silva is in a dialogue with the relevant government authorities to resolve issues pertaining to the Suwa Seriya ambulance scheme.   

Dr. De Silva told journalists that Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana had talked to him over the phone and inquired him as what has to be done in order to save the ambulance service. “ I am grateful to him for his interest on the ambulance scheme. Also I have had discussions with the treasury as well. He said more discussions will take place during the coming days,” he said.  

“ I do hope that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will also support me in this endeavor. I personally spoke to Prime minister Narendra Modi of India and requested assistance for the ambulance scheme. Mr. Wickremesinghe who was the then Prime minister gave me tremendous support to start up the programme. Therefore I believe he will support me once again, he added.  

The main issue with Suwa Seriya is lack of ambulances. Around 58 ambulances out of 322 have broken down. Besides the salaries for workers is hardly sufficient. “ The average basic salary is Rs 35,000 per month. This is hardly sufficient,” he said.   

Asked whether he would have a dialogue with the President with regard to Suwaseriya , he said such a thing is not necessary. “ President is surely aware of importance which Suwa Seriya carries and they should know their priorities,” he said in this regard.