16th March 2023 20:28:36 Hours
Troops of the Army on the directions of Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army were deployed island-wide to maintain essential health services in hospitals and other public places at the request of relative authorities on Wednesday (March 15) after some trade union actions crippled routine services.
Accordingly, a group of about 35 Army personnel from 1 Sri Lanka Pioneer Corps of the 612 Infantry Brigade under the 61 Infantry Division offered their assistance for the management of Horana District Hospital and Panadura Base Hospital services in Kalutara District.
In addition, Army personnel of the 2 (V) Sri Lanka Light Infantry of the 144 Infantry Brigade under the 14 Infantry Division and the School of Military Engineering also provided assistance to cover essential duties at the Colombo East Base Hospital (CEBH), Mulleriyawa and Embilipitiya Base Hospital, respectively.
Meanwhile, troops of the 112 Infantry Brigade assisted authorities and patients at Badulla District Hospital while 2 (V) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops supported the services at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and Kandy National Hospital.
At the same time, 2 (V) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment volunteered to assist authorities at Nuwara Eliya District Hospital. Similarly, soldiers of 18 Gemunu Watch helped the maintenance of services at Moneragala District Hospital.
The operations were conducted under the guidance of Major General Deepal Pussella, Commander Security Forces - West, Major General Mohan Rathnayake, Commander Security Forces - Central and respective General Officers Commanding (GOCs), coordinated by Brigade Commanders and Commanding Officers.
