An agreement has been reached to bring the Tellippalai Cancer Hospital under the administration of the Central Ministry of Health in the future and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for joint operation between the central and provincial administrations during the interim period. A special discussion in this regard was held today (20.10.2026) at the Governor’s Secretariat between officials of the Central Ministry of Health and the Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Speaking at the discussion, the Governor emphasized the necessity to upgrade the hospital, which serves patients arriving from various parts of the country. Pointing out the legal and procedural challenges in transferring provincial hospitals under the central government, he noted that action could be taken to bring this specific hospital alone under central administration, in accordance with the decision of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee.
Officials from the Central Ministry of Health pointed out that financial and administrative difficulty arise because the Tellipalai Cancer Hospital is attached to a Base Hospital under the provincial administration. Taking this into consideration, it was decided to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for resource sharing between both administrations to ensure uninterrupted medical services during the transition period until the hospital is brought under the central government. Furthermore, both parties agreed to submit a relevant Cabinet paper to proceed with the next steps.
