$85m Chinese grant to develop health sector

Thursday, 12 May 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rs.1.2 b grant from Japan for patrol boats for Coast Guard

Cabinet approval has been given to use funds granted by the Government of China subject to a financial limit of $ 85 million to develop Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector.

The proposal made by Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne to use the funds granted by the Government of China subject to a financial limit of $ 85 million, in improving health facilities covering the whole island was approved by the Cabinet.

The project widens the scope of a programinitially put together in 2010 to provide funds to improve healthcare in the north and east by widening the scope of the project and to purchase essential equipment and to construct buildings in selected hospitals including provincial hospitals.

The Government of Japan has agreed to grant assistance including two 30-metre-long petrol vessels to the Department of Coast Guard.

The proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into a grant agreement with the JICA for obtaining a grant of Rs. 2.4b for the above purposewas approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.