Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi says that the success of the launch of the Ambulance Service represents a “concrete result” of how the close partnership of India and Sri Lanka benefits the people on the ground.
“It is another example of how Indian experiences, capacities and best practices can fulfill the needs of our friends in Sri Lanka,” he said, in a video message on the occasion of the launch of the emergency ambulance service, being implemented through Indian grant assistance of around US$ 7.55 million.
The project, which would cover the Western and Southern Provinces of Sri Lanka, was launched at an event on Thursday (28) at the Galle Face Green in Colombo attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne, Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha and Deputy Foreign Minister, Harsha de Silva.
Modi said that the project is important as it will help save lives and would add to Sri Lanka’s capacities for delivering emergency healthcare. He said that the goals of this project are ambitious and that it will reach out to over 8 million residents of Southern and Western Sri Lanka.
“I am told it will also be a source of substantial job creation in local communities.” The project also showcases the success of Public Private Partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and its nominated implementing partner, he said.
He said that the threads of strong civilizational linkages have united the people of the two countries and that India’s Development Cooperation with Sri Lanka enjoys a wide spread of projects throughout Sri Lanka in different areas of economic activities.
“But it must happen as per your aspirations. It is for this reason that our cooperative projects rely on the choices and priorities set by the people, the leadership and the Government of Sri Lanka,” he added.
The prime minister reiterated that India stands for a united, stable and prosperous Sri Lanka. “That is also the goal of our partnership. And the Emergency Ambulance Service is a unique example of this friendship.”
