New Delhi, November 11 (TNA) India will provide a financial grant to Sri Lanka to procure 100 new, fully equipped medical ambulances for its 1990 Suwa Seriya National Emergency Ambulance Service, with the Sri Lankan Cabinet approving a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments.
The assistance follows a special request from the Sri Lankan government to strengthen the ambulance fleet and address an increasing number of mechanical breakdowns, according to the Cabinet brief.
Strengthening Emergency Response
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet spokesperson and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced the approval at the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday. The new vehicles are intended to strengthen the service’s existing fleet of 322 ambulances.
The Cabinet decision authorises the signing of the MoU to facilitate receipt of the Indian grant; it does not mark the delivery of the vehicles. The ambulances will be fully equipped with medical facilities for use by the emergency service.
Continuing India’s Support
The 1990 Suwa Seriya National Emergency Ambulance Service was launched in 2016 with financial assistance from India and expanded island-wide in 2018. It provides free, round-the-clock emergency ambulance services across all districts of Sri Lanka.
The proposed addition of 100 ambulances will build on that cooperation and strengthen the fleet supporting the country’s free emergency medical response network.