A new 10-storey Professorial Ward Complex at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ruhuna in Karapitiya was officially opened today (November 15) by Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister said the 2026 Budget had allocated the highest-ever funding for the education and health sectors, with Rs. 740 billion for education and Rs. 710 billion for health.
He said the Galle National Hospital Professorial Unit, initially estimated to cost Rs. 1.3 billion in 2019, was completed at a final cost of Rs. 2.808 billion.
A further Rs. 8.5 billion will be spent on several development projects at the hospital, while new professorial units are also planned for the medical faculties in Sabaragamuwa, Badulla and Kalutara, he said.
The government has allocated Rs. 21.5 billion to purchase modern medical equipment, including MRI and LINAC machines, while construction of all stalled hospital building projects is expected to be completed by 2028, the Minister added.
The new 10-storey complex has a capacity of 300 beds across medical, surgical, psychiatric and specialised gynaecological wards. It also includes an eight-bed intensive care unit (ICU), three modern operating theatres, eight outpatient consultation rooms and a dedicated clinical examination hall.
The project was implemented under a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Higher Education and Health, with funding provided by the Higher Education Ministry and land allocated by the Health Ministry. Construction was carried out by the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB).
The project also received contributions from the Ruhuna University Medical Students’ Alumni Association (RUMSAA) and other donors. Hospital beds for the wards, operating theatres and ICU were donated through the sponsorship of the Chinese Mahabodhi Temple in Guangzhou, China, with coordination by the Consular Office.
Alumni groups also donated furniture for the entrance hall, clinics, examination hall and medical wards, valued at over Rs. 25 million. The Lions Clubs International has also agreed to donate US$150,000 to fully equip one operating theatre.
The Minister further said a health sector staff cadre review, which had not been conducted since 2017, had been completed. Approval is expected to be obtained for approximately 7,000 doctors over the next three years.
He said appointments were planned for 1,472 doctors who had completed their internship training. However, once ongoing court proceedings are concluded, the government expects to make appointments for nearly 2,000 people, including the doctors concerned.
Appointments are also planned for 3,000 nurses and 500 graduates, he added. (Newswire)
