India to build 150-bed hospital in Sri Lanka

New Delhi, Mar 9: India today announced that it would build a 150-bed hospital in Sri Lanka's Central Province that is home to a large number of Indian-origin Tamils.

An agreement to build the hospital at Dickoya near Hatton in the Central Province was inked here by T S Tirumurti, Joint Secretary, in the Ministry of External Affairs and K R Tirumurahan, Managing Director of Chennai-based Green Valley's Shelters.

The government has allocated over USD 10 million (approximately Rs 47.27 crore) for building the hospital.

Hospital Services Consultation Corporation (HSCC) of India is the management consultant for the project, which is expected to be completed in 22 months, an External Affairs Ministry statement said.

The new hospital will augment the facilities in the existing hospital and provide health services to a large number of people of Indian origin living in Central Province, it said.

India has continued to extend extensive assistance to the Indian Origin Tamils living in that area especially in the area of education, health, housing and public transportation, the statement said.

PTI