24th September 2021 10:07:24 Hours
On a directive of the Army Chief, untiring efforts of the 11 Division HQ troops under the Security Force HQ-Central resulted in the conversion of a partly-built building inside the Kandy National Hospital premises to serve as a Covid Treatment Centre within weeks in response to a request, made by the Director of the Hospital.
During a recent visit to the hospital premises, Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, General Officer Commanding of the 11 Division who is also the Coordinator for COVID 19 control work in Kandy district, Dr Iresha Fernando, Director, Kandy National Hospital sought the assistance of the 11 Division troops for immediate completion of a partly-built ward complex inside the hospital compound in the face of looming threat of the epidemic in the up country.
General Shavendra Silva, Head, NOCPCO, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army after giving the greenlight for the project directed Major General Vikum Liyanage, Commander, Security Forces-Central and Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, General Officer Commanding of the 11 Division to supply 100 metal beds of the Army free of charge for the project on a priority basis soon after it was made ready for its operation.
During its inaugural opening on Saturday (25), the Chief Guest, Hon Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella, together with the Governor for Central Province and Hospital Director made a specific gesture by presenting special mementoes of appreciation to the Army. Both the GOC and the Captain, Head of the construction team received those souvenirs during the inaugural ceremony on behalf of the Army.
The tremendous job done by the Army troops within a short span of period was highly appreciated by both the Minister and the Governor during the opening ceremony. The Director National Hospital Kandy as well publicly extended his sincere thanks on behalf of the staff to the Army for extending this much-needed support despite its heavy commitments even in this pandemic situation.
The cost for construction of the entire ward was borne by donors and philanthropists in the central province as infected numbers in the region began to swell within weeks.
