India Funds New Emergency Unit at Mannar Hospital in Sri Lanka
A new two-story emergency unit at Mannars District General Hospital is funded by India, enhancing healthcare in Sri Lanka.
Colombo, September 16 (Daily Kiran) : Construction has begun on a new two-story Accident and Emergency Unit at the District General Hospital in Mannar, Sri Lanka, thanks to financial support from the Indian government. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 16, 2026, and was attended by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Health and Communication Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.
According to the Indian High Commission, the project is being funded by a grant of 600 million Sri Lankan Rupees (SLR) from India. High Commissioner Jha expressed his enthusiasm on social media, stating, “Strengthening healthcare and saving lives! It was a pleasure to join President Dissanayake and Minister Jayatissa at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new two-story Accident and Emergency Unit at Mannar’s District General Hospital.”
He further emphasized that the grant will also provide essential medical equipment to ensure timely emergency care during the critical “golden hour.” Jha described the project as a “true testament” to the longstanding partnership between India and Sri Lanka and their shared commitment to people-centered development.
Earlier this month, Jha inaugurated the 21st model village, “Suhaadagama,” in Polonnaruwa, alongside Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Jagath Wijekoon and Deputy Minister for Housing, Construction, and Water Supply T.B. Serath. He noted that the model village project, funded by India, spans all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, showcasing the strength of the India-Sri Lanka partnership in achieving meaningful progress at the grassroots level.
In August, Jha and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Mahishini Kolonne, reviewed initiatives under the India-Sri Lanka Foundation (ISLF) and discussed new project proposals to strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors. Both officials co-chaired the 41st board meeting of the ISLF in New Delhi on August 28. Established in 1998 through a memorandum of understanding between the governments of India and Sri Lanka, the ISLF serves as a trust fund to promote economic, scientific, educational, technical, and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
