Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa held a discussion on the proposed Emergency Treatment Unit to be built in the premises of the historic Somawathiya Rajamaha Vihara.
The Minister, who first paid homage to the shrine, held a discussion on expediting construction of the proposed emergency treatment unit. Meanwhile, attention was drawn to completing design plans by this year, obtaining the National Planning Department’s approvals, allocating a budget under the expenditure head of the Ministry of Health, setting up the treatment centre by 2026 and providing treatment services with the support of the Polonnaruwa Teaching Hospital.
The Minister pointed out the dire need for a health centre including an emergency treatment unit for the sacred site which receives a large number of devotees daily.
The project is being implemented under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the Somawathiya Rajamaha Vihara, Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera. Preliminary plans for this emergency treatment unit include a ward with four beds, an outpatient treatment unit, pharmacy, an ambulance and staff accommodation facilities, currently being prepared under the guidance of the Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on the direct instructions of the Director General of Health Services.
The Anunayake Thera of Somawathiya Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Thalgodapitiye Indaguptha Thera, members of the Maha Sangha, Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban Development T.B. Sarath, Members of Parliament N.R.P. Bandara, B.M.S. Ratnasiri, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Sujantha Ekanayake, Director of Polonnaruwa Teaching Hospital, Dr. Upul Karunaratne and a group of others were present.
