China to help upgrade Sri Lankan hospitals, Japanese assistance for coast guard

May 12, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved to use funds granted China amounting 85 million US dollars to develop the healthcare sector.

“The scope of the project is to purchase essential equipment and to construct buildings in selected hospitals including provincial hospitals,” a statement on cabinet approvals said.

The .proposal was made Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, to use the funds granted by the Government of China subject to a financial limit of 85 million US dollars, in improving health facilities covering the whole island.

Meanwhile the Government of Japan has agreed to grant assistance including a 30 metre long 2 petrol vessels to the Department of Coast Guard for broadening operations undertaken by the Department in Sri Lankan Coasts.

This proposal was made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to enter into a grant agreement with the JICA for obtaining a grant of 1,830,000,000 Japanese Yen (Approximately 2,400 million rupees).