20 Siddhayurvedha Centres in Jaffna - Minister Karalliyadda

by Nimal WIJESINGHE Anuradhapura Additional District Group Corr.

The Indigenous Medicine Ministry under its 'Siddha' Ayurvedic medicine expansion program being launched in Jaffna Peninsula has made arrangements to construct 20 'Siddhayurvedha' medical centres in the region. The foundation stones for the first five such hospitals were recently laid by the Indigenous Medicine Minister Tissa Karalliyadda in Chankanai, Telippalai, Chavakachcheri, Wali (cast) and Velanai Divisions Secretariat divisions.

Each centre costs the government Rs. 1.5 million. The building consists of two wards, diagnosis room, clinical sector and an office room.

The Minister of Indigenous Medicine speaking at the foundation laying ceremony at Telippalai "Ape Wedha Gedara" (Our physicians home) said that a large number of government medical institutes in Jaffna peninsula have been in a state of dilapidation, abandoned or poorly maintained due to the LTTE menace that prevailed in the zone during last three decades.

He said that Rs. 350 million would be spent to rehabilitate Kaithady 'Siddha' teaching hospital, that served as a major LTTE military base in the past.

The Minister said a 'Siddha' medical centre would be built in Nainathivu for the benefit of the residents there. A five acre herb garden would be started for the use of Siddha medical students attached to Kaithady teaching hospital.

Dr. S. Suppiah a renowned traditional doctor famous for healing fractures for whom the Telippalai Ape Wedha Gedara is built, said that they never expected the dawn of a permanent peace so easily and quickly and lauded President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his genuine endeavours to comfort the people in the North.

"We praise the President and further trust that there would be prosperity under his good governance", the physician emphasised.