Government to help Bhikkhus' nursing home

Indika Polkotuwa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to provide all facilities and equipment for the first nursing home for Buddhist monks built at Galaha, Kandy. The President gave this directive to Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva when he met Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake, the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera, Rammana Chapter Maha Nayake, the Most Ven. Weweldeniye Sri Medhankara Thera and the Most Ven. Dimbulkumbure Vilavitiye Gnanawasa Anu Nayake Thera of the Ramanna Sect at the President's House, Kandy.

The nursing home built at a cost of Rs 44 million for the benefit of the Buddhist monks has 54 beds and all the medical and nursing services would be provided free and 16 members of the Buddhist monks have already requested for treatment in it.

The precincts of the nursing home is in a five acre land where herbal plants will be cultivated to be used in indigenous herbal preparations.

Also present at the discussion at the President's House were Ministers Pandu Bandaranayake, Mahindananda Alutgamage, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, and President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Additional Secretary Gamini Senerath, Senior Assistant Secretary Healthcare Ministry and Kandy District Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne were also present.