The growth of a hospital does not end with the construction of buildings. As the need for medical services continues to increase day by day, the hospital’s infrastructure must also continue to develop accordingly. More importantly, public confidence in the hospital must grow, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The foundation laying ceremony for a new hostel for medical officers at the Kilinochchi District General Hospital was held this evening – on Thursday 17 September 2026. The hostel, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 185 million under the Provincial Specific Development Grant (PSDG) Fund, will provide medical officers with safe and comfortable accommodation close to the hospital where they work.
The Governor stated that it is important for medical officers providing medical services, particularly those who come from distant areas and work away from their families, to have proper accommodation facilities, as this is important for their satisfaction and the continuity of their service.
Noting that district general hospitals in the Northern Province operate under the administration of the Provincial Council and therefore their needs and responsibilities are significantly greater, the Governor stated that the attention being given by the Central Ministry of Health to the needs of hospitals in the Northern Province is an important form of support in this context.
The Governor stated that Hon. Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has been acting on requests concerning the health needs of the Northern Province by considering them not merely as requests from one province, but as needs connected to the people’s right to health and expressed his gratitude and appreciation to him.
The Governor stated that the needs of a hospital do not end with the construction of a single building and noted that the hospital’s infrastructure must continue to be improved in line with the increasing number of patients, the expansion of treatment units and changes occurring in medical services.
In this regard, the Governor also stated that Rs. 35 million has been allocated this year under the Provincial Development Grant (PSDG) Fund for the pharmaceutical warehouse of the Kilinochchi District General Hospital.
He also referred to the request recently submitted by the Patients’ Welfare Association regarding a new building for the hospital’s physiotherapy treatment unit. Considering the number of people who will receive treatment in the future and the needs of treatment units that will have to be expanded, he noted that it would be more appropriate to construct an extensive multi-storey building suited to future needs rather than a small-scale building, and stated that he expects to commence this work under next year’s allocation.
Meanwhile, the Governor stated that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment is being successfully carried out completely free of charge at the Kilinochchi District General Hospital by a team led by medical specialist Dr. Raghuraman. He also noted that a mother who received this treatment is currently pregnant. He stated that he considers this a fine example of how significant changes can be created when medical knowledge, dedication and a spirit of service come together even in an environment with limited resources.
He also commended the medical team providing such excellent services and requested that Hon. Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa continue to provide them with the necessary support.
The foundation stone was laid for the hostel for medical officers. Subsequently, the Hon. Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the Hon. Governor of Northern Province N. Vethanayahan and Members of Parliament jointly visited the Provincial Women’s Special Hospital and the IVF Treatment Unit established within the premises of the Kilinochchi District General Hospital. A discussion with medical specialists was held thereafter.
During this occasion, a detailed explanation was provided regarding the staffing requirements of the Kilinochchi District General Hospital, and Hon. Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa stated that a significant number of personnel could be appointed in the future.
The event was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament Nihal Abeysinghe, M. Jagatheeswaran, S. Thilakanathan, the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, the Additional District Secretary of Kilinochchi District, the Provincial Director of Health Services of the Northern Province, the Regional Director of Health Services – Kolinochchi, the Director of the District General Hospital – Kolinochchi, medical specialists, doctors, nursing officers, health assistants, the Kilinochchi District Coordinator of the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force, the Coordinator of the Chairman of the Kilinochchi District Coordinating Committee and many others.
