RIYADH: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will open a 242-bed epilepsy hospital, which is fully funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), in Colombo on Tuesday.
The SR100 million ($26.7 million), 10-story hospital consists of a surgical theater, an intensive care unit, a high-dependency unit, 242-bed male and female wards, and an auditorium for capacity building for the country’s medical staff.
The SFD recently financed an additional SR48 million to buy all necessary equipment including a CT scanner, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment, physical therapy devices and medical furniture.
A four-member SFD delegation has left for Colombo to take part in the event, which will also be attended by Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.
The Saudi team comprises Fawzi Al-Saud, director general of operations; Abdulla Al-Shedokhi, adviser; Bandar Al-Otaibi, engineer from the technical department; and Meshal Al-Najashi, loan researcher at the legal department.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Azmi Thassim told Arab News that SFD's support helped fulfill a long-standing need of the island nation.
He recalled that the fund has been supporting Sri Lankan projects for more than three decades.
“We were able to complete major projects such as the Kinniya bridge with its assistance,” he added.
Saudi-funded SR100m epilepsy hospital opens in Colombo today
Saudi-funded SR100m epilepsy hospital opens in Colombo today
Yemeni government says it appreciates Saudi leadership of coalition supporting legitimacy
- The internationally recognized government in Yemen called on the Southern Transitional Council to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra
RIYADH: Yemen’s government appreciates the historical and steadfast positions of Saudi Arabia and its pivotal role in supporting Yemen’s security and stability, a statement issued by the country said on Tuesday.
Yemen also appreciates the Kingdom’s constant concern for protecting civilians, reducing escalation, and preventing the eastern provinces of the country from sliding into conflicts that serve hostile agendas.
The internationally recognized government in Yemen called on the Southern Transitional Council to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra, hand over military sites and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in the governorates, and refrain from any military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.
The statement affirmed the government’s full welcome and absolute support for the decisions taken by the President of the Presidential Leadership Council and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Rashad Al-Alimi, including the declaration of a state of emergency and measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status, in light of the dangerous developments taking place in the eastern governorates of Yemen.
The government said that a state of emergency was declared “to confront the armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent sliding into chaos and undermining state institutions.”
