SLAF UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART FOUR-STOREY CHILDREN'S WARD COMPLEX AT APEKSHA HOSPITAL, MAHARAGAMA
A notable advancement in healthcare infrastructure has been achieved with the formal opening of the four-storey Children's Ward Complex at Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama, today (03 September 2024). This facility was constructed by the Sri Lanka Air Force under the ‘Husma’ project, at an expenditure of approximately Rs. 150 million. The project was entirely funded by the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya and completed in less than a year, reflecting the commitment and expertise of SLAF personnel in its planning and execution.
Originally planned as a three-storey complex, the project was expanded to four-storey due to the voluntary labour and expertise provided by SLAF members. The newly constructed ward complex, with the capacity to treat more than 70 inmates, includes state-of-the-art facilities such as an operating theatre and a children's garden designed to support mental well-being.
In addition to the construction of the new ward, the SLAF undertook extensive renovations of the adjacent facilities at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, thereby enhancing the overall infrastructure of the hospital. This project was executed by a dedicated team of 75 professionally qualified SLAF personnel and approximately 100 skilled laborers, under the supervision of Director General Construction Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Chandana Geethapriya.
The official handing over of the facility to the community was headed by the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickramarathne, on behalf of the Commander of the Air Force, alongside the Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya, Mr. Dishan Gunasekara. The ceremony was also attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Palitha Maheepala, Director of Apeksha Hospital, Mr. Aruna Jayasekara, the Director General of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Demian Weerasinghe, the Director General of Construction Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Chandana Geethapriya and other notable invitees.
Originally planned as a three-storey complex, the project was expanded to four-storey due to the voluntary labour and expertise provided by SLAF members. The newly constructed ward complex, with the capacity to treat more than 70 inmates, includes state-of-the-art facilities such as an operating theatre and a children's garden designed to support mental well-being.
In addition to the construction of the new ward, the SLAF undertook extensive renovations of the adjacent facilities at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, thereby enhancing the overall infrastructure of the hospital. This project was executed by a dedicated team of 75 professionally qualified SLAF personnel and approximately 100 skilled laborers, under the supervision of Director General Construction Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Chandana Geethapriya.
The official handing over of the facility to the community was headed by the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickramarathne, on behalf of the Commander of the Air Force, alongside the Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya, Mr. Dishan Gunasekara. The ceremony was also attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Palitha Maheepala, Director of Apeksha Hospital, Mr. Aruna Jayasekara, the Director General of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Demian Weerasinghe, the Director General of Construction Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Chandana Geethapriya and other notable invitees.
