President opens new ward complex at Cancer Hospital

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the new two-storeyed ward complex at Maharagama Cancer Hospital at a simple ceremony held recently.

The project was launched on the initiative of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa under her 'Carlton Suwa' program with funds provided by the United Arab Emirates and several local philanthropists. The First Lady also donated to the hospital an expensive machine worth over Rs. 65 million supplied by the UAE.

The facilities provided by this machine to cancer patients can be had at private hospitals at more than Rs. 100,000, the hospital sources said.

A restroom costing of Rs. 160 million provided under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the convenience of the public was opened recently.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa extended her patronage to these public welfare projects in memory of the President Rajapaksa's mother, the late Mrs. Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayaka and her mother, the late Violet Wickramasinghe. United Nurses Union President Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Ministers Maithripala Sirisena and Gamini Lokuge, UAE Ambassador Mahmood Al Mahmood and Hospital Directors Kanishka Karunaratne participated at the opening ceremony.