President praises nursing service in the country

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the nursing service is the only public profession that is free from allegations of bribery and corruption.

Addressing the ceremony to award certificates to the first batch of Nursing Diploma graduates at the Temple Trees on Tuesday, the President said requested the newly appointed nurses also to be determined to protect the dignity of the profession.

A batch of 42 nurses who had completed the three-year nursing diploma course symbolically received certificates from President Rajapaksa and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The President also registered the original members of the Sri Lanka Nursing Council at the function.

Addressing the occasion Minister Sirisena has said that the President has provided necessary provisions for the Ministry of Health to provide an exemplary service to the public.

The government has allocated extra Rs. 4 billion annually for medicines as the Out Patient Department (OPD) has extended its hours from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Chairman of the Public Services United Nurses Association Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero has said that the government has initiated many programmes to uplift nursing service, including establishing a Nursing Council.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu, Provincial Governors, Provincial Health Ministers, and Principals of Nursing Schools also participated in the event.