Homagama Hospital built at a cost of Rs. 100 mln:

A gift of good will

Health is wealth and keeping with this saying the Chairman of BAM Holdings B. A. Mahipala will handover the Phase one stage one of the Homagama Hospital built at a cost of Rs. 100 mln on February 16, 2009.

It is the 61st anniversary of the original hospital opening which was built by late B. A. Semaneris Appuhamy, father of B. A. Mahipala. Late Semaneris Appuhamy not only built the hospital but also donated the land on which the hospital was built.

As the number of patients patronising the hospital increased the government through the Health ministry constructed more buildings and infrastructure around the original hospital buildings to meet the demand while the hospital was upgraded to a base hospital.

As a result the hospital layout is sub optimal and does not fully support to provide an efficient and effective service to the people who come. In addition the government is hard pressed for resources to upgrade the State run hospitals around the country.

Therefore, the descendants of the hospital Founder led by his youngest son B. A. Mahipala formed the Bamunu Arachchi Foundation (BAF) to develop the hospital.

The expert services of Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) was sought to develop a master plan. On April 9, 2007 the Ran Mehewara Project was launched with the foundation stone being laid by the great grandchildren of B. A. Semaneris Appuhamy for a new Outpatients Department (OPD) clinic and diagnostic facility.

Mahipala, an engineer by profession said though people wanted to contribute towards this project I wanted to do it on my own as I felt that it was my duty by the society we live.

He said that he could have bought some luxury vehicles but this will give us more self-satisfaction when patients can obtain their medicine in comfort. Seeing their innocent faces will make us happy.

Director of the Hospital Dr S. Karunaratne said that Mahipala came every week to supervise the work on the project and it is amazing to see his dedication. He attends to every minute detail and is loved by all people.

It is rare to find people of this nature who are willing to donate their wealth for others.

Mahipala wished that there would be more entrepreneurs who are willing to donate their wealth for the common good of the people. BAM Holdings started trading with the importation of vehicles to Sri Lanka in 1977.
(SG)