Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa says plans and actions are already underway to expand the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance fleet to 500 vehicles, incorporating the latest global technologies to modernize the service.
Minister Jayatissa further stated that discussions are ongoing with the Indian government to acquire 100 additional ambulances.
He further said that, in addition, 20 ambulances are expected to be received under a loan facility from the Asian Development Bank, and another 25 as direct donations.
The Health Minister expressed these views after engaging in an inspection of a special training program conducted by the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation to enhance the skills of emergency medical technicians on Thursday.
According to the Health Ministry, the program is being held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute over five days under the supervision of a team of experts in complementary medicine, led by Professor Will Broughton of Buckinghamshire New University, UK.
This marks the fourth time the specialized training series is being conducted. Professor Broughton and his team of experts have not received any payment or financial contribution from Sri Lanka for their participation. All expenses, including airfare, are covered by the British High Commission in Sri Lanka and the expert team itself.
Emergency medical technicians who successfully complete the training will be awarded an internationally recognized certificate.
The Suwaseriya Foundation has already developed a ten-year strategic plan. Given that ambulances may take time to arrive due to various reasons, one of the key initiatives in the plan is to deploy trained officers to the location immediately via motorcycles upon receiving an emergency call.
Retired Major Niroshan Ratnayake, Chairman of the Suwaseriya Foundation, shared these details during a briefing.
He emphasized that the foundation’s core mission is “saving lives.” Established under an Act of Parliament in 1990, Suwaseriya began as a donation from the Indian government and now operates as Sri Lanka’s national emergency ambulance service.
The training program was attended by Suwaseriya’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shrilal de Silva, Training Program Head Mr. Stanoshan, and several others. (Newswire)