Falck Sri Lanka closes down EMS operations

Falck yesterday stated that it could no longer sustain its business within the country as a commercial operation and announced that after much deliberation, it has been decided by the Board of Directors to cease its operations in Sri Lanka with effect from 31 October.

Falck, the globally acclaimed emergency medical services company and by far the largest, commenced operations in Sri Lanka in January 2013, introducing internationally standardised practices and training facilities for the first time in this island.

“We are proud to have served the people of this country within our service areas, at their times of vulnerability and need.  In the process, we have elevated the standards and values of immediate response to medical situations,” it said in a statement yesterday.

Falck’s entrance to Sri Lanka was to a green field in EMS. Falck worked amidst the challenges of extremely low levels of public awareness regarding EMS. “We made every effort to educate the public through the support and co-operation of all forms of media. We have achieved success in this regard but unfortunately not to levels required to maintain a commercial EMS in Sri Lanka.”

Falck, however, is happy to note that the Government of Sri Lanka, in partnership with a grant from the Government of India will provide free EMS services covering the entire island progressively. “We are indeed exhilarated that the Government is offering this essential service free of charge to all citizens of Sri Lanka. This indeed, is a turning point in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) within the country and Falck is proud to have set the benchmark for quality and respect for human life and its medical emergencies.”

All paid current members of Falck Sri Lanka are kindly requested to make contact with the Falck office via email ([email protected]) or visit the head office at #41, Lumbini Avenue, off Pirivena Road, Ratmalana with a valid identification (NIC/passport) on any weekday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in order to make arrangements to collect the residual value of their membership fees. The final date for reimbursements is limited to 30 November.

All mobile subscribers will be disconnected immediately. No deductions will be made from their mobiles from 30 September. Please visit the website www.falck.lk for more information.