The Presidential Suite at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which until now had been reserved exclusively for the use of the Executive President, was opened today (24) for medical treatment of the general public.
According to the President’s Office, following instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Ministry of Health, together with the hospital administration, made this decision.
Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital was built in 1984 as a major aid project of the Japanese government, with a capacity of 1,000 beds. However, in addition to this plan, the Presidential Suite numbered 1001 was added for the private use of the Head of State.
Although the Presidential Suite has been used only on a few limited occasions over the past 42 years since the hospital’s opening, it was maintained continuously without being made available for patients, in anticipation of a President’s visit.
However, from today, this the Presidential Suite will be utilized for the benefit of ordinary patients receiving treatment at the hospital.
The move is in line with the current government policy of deploying state property and resources more effectively to meet the health needs of the people. (Newswire)