The Devon Rest at the Lake Round in Kandy was officially handed over to the Health Ministry yesterday as the first Bhikku COVID-19 Treatment Centre in the country under the patronage of the Anunayake Thera of the Malwathu Asgiriya Ubaya Maha Viharaya and the Maha Sangha.
Devon Group of Companies Managing Director Gamini Weeraratne has donated the Centre as a Bhikkhu COVID-19 Treatment Centre and other facilities including its beds have been completed by the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic under the patronage of Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilangala Dela. Basnayake Nilame of the Vishnu Devalaya in Kandy Mahen Ratwatte has also contributed on behalf of the Vishnu Devalaya in this regard.
Fifty monks can receive treatment here. The COVID-19 Bhikku Treatment Centre will be fully supervised by the Kandy National Hospital, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and the Kandy Medical Association.
Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela has provided an ambulance for the place.
If a monk who is receiving treatment becomes critically ill, he will be transferred to the Kandy National Hospital or the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Asgiriya Chapter Secretary Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thera said.
COVID-19 infected monks had a hard time getting treatment with the public in wards. Therefore, at a discussion held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic regarding the establishment of a separate treatment centre for the Theras, Gamini Weeraratne consented to provide Devon Rest for the purpose, Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thera said.
He said that a monk from any part of the country infected with COVID-19 could enter the Treatment Centre and receive treatment.
Gamini Weeraratne said that at a time when the people of this country are facing severe difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had donated his Devon Rest Company for a COVID-19 Bhikkhu Treatment Centre with the feeling that he should do something for the country and the people as a businessman.
Malwathu Chapter Anunayake Theras Ven. Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri, Dimbulkumbure Wimaladharma, Asgiri Chapter Anunayake Ven. Wederuwe Upali Thera, Members of the Maha Sangha, Kandy District Secretary Chandana Tennakoon, Kandy National Hospital Director Chandana Wijesinghe and Specialist Dr. Nandana Jayathilake of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital were present.
