He made these observations after laying the foundation stone for a Regional Hospital Complex in Poonarin this morning (July 20th).

He also made a request to relevant parties to come forward for the welfare of the people of the North.

Constructed on an area spanning 15 acres, the hospital complex is scheduled to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 73.15 million. The two-storied building will feature a residential wards complex, OPD services, maternity wards, operation theatres and quarters for doctors and nurses.

Expressing his views in Tamil, the President noted that the hospitals in the North destroyed by the terrorists are being reconstructed at a cost of millions of Rupees, and all the hospitals in the North will be developed thus.
Adding his views, Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathne stressed the need for all the five ethnicities: Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and Malay to live in cohesion as Sri Lankans, and stated that the President treats all ethnicities and religions with equality.

He also said that the Government bears much expenditure to the development of the North in comparison to its allocation of funs for other provinces, and pointed out that 20 new schools were declared open yesterday.
Addressing the audience, Minister of Traditional Industries & Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda elaborated on the Government’s development endeavours targeting the Northern Province.

This event was attended by Governor of the Northern province Major Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri, Minister of Social Services Felix Perera, MPs Namal Rajapaksa, Dilum Amunugama, Thenuka Widanagamage, and officers attached to the Health Ministry.