Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

Following the tsunami that ravaged the country in December last year, Celltel and its parent company Millicom allocated Rs. 180 million towards the recovery and reconstruction of the country with the funds going to the Health Ministry's efforts towards rebuilding the destroyed Gramodaya Health Centres (GHC) from Panadura to Jaffna in the Southern and Eastern districts of Sri Lanka.

"In fact our's was the first corporate initiative in the health sector" said CEO Celltel, Dumindra Ratnayaka. "The GHCs are the first point of medical aid for most villagers and their destruction has caused great hardship to the people, hence we decided that it was an extremely worthwhile project to undertake as being part of Celltel's Corporate Social Responsibility".

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government and Celltel Lanka [Pvt] Ltd. to rehabilitate 40 Gramodaya Health Centres, with the foundation stone being laid for the reconstruction of the first "Gramodaya Health Centre" by the Deputy Minister of Healthcare, Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena under the rehabilitation program of health infrastructure at Kahandamodera, Tangalle, in the Hambantota District.

The most recent GHC opened in Palanunai 1 and 2 recently by Health Ministry officials, in the presence of Celltel as well as government dignitaries. Coordinator North and East Health Activities, Dr. V. Jeganathan said that Celltel's commitment towards making this project a reality was admirable as it was not merely a monetary contribution but one in which the company personnel were personally responsible in overseeing the project and ensuring that deadlines were met.

Celltel's Head of Engineering, Sanath Pilapitiya said, "being the pioneer mobile phone operator in the country we felt it was our duty to take on a project which would assist the masses and the rebuilding of the GHCs which are the only recourse to medical aid that people living in rural areas have, we felt was a truly worthwhile and socially responsible endeavour".

| News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security |
| Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries | Junior Observer |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.