Sri Lankan family in Canada donates ICU beds worth Rs. 400 Mn to SL

21 March 2024 09:54 pm - 51 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 21 (Daily Mirror) - A total of 157 cutting-edge Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds worth over Rs. 470 million were donated to the Sri Lankan government by a Sri Lankan family living in Canada.

This generous contribution has been made at the behest of Rev. Fr. Darrel Coonghe, the Director and Founder of Supuwath Arana in Seeduwa.

The donation ceremony took place at the Colombo Logistics Terminals (Pvt) Ltd in Welisara today (21).

The Health Ministry said these 157 beds are set to be distributed across 34 hospitals including Negombo, Ragama Teaching Hospital, Chilaw, Puttalam, Seeduwa, Gampaha, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Kurunegala.

On behalf of the Sri Lankan government, Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana expressed his gratitude to Patrick Nilkamal Fernando and his family residing in Canada for the much-needed donation.

He noted that these beds, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, mark a significant enhancement in the country's critical care capabilities.

Nandasena Gopallawa Thursday, 21 March 2024 10:09 PM

This gift deserves proper recognition at a national level.

Sam Friday, 22 March 2024 02:10 AM

Absolutely

Nimal Rajakaruna Friday, 22 March 2024 03:24 AM

Quite true. They got to be highly appreciated for their generosity.

Dee Friday, 22 March 2024 12:44 PM

For sure the respected donor didn’t want any pomp and pageantry! The simple ceremony is good enough (watch the comments for even this simple appreciation and handing over ceremony)

SAFRY, Thursday, 21 March 2024 10:42 PM

HATEFUL POLITICIANS ALWAYS HATE CANADA.

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 21 March 2024 11:04 PM

This is great, actually there are many Lankans abroad doing donations but this is the largest single donation I have seen.

Marie Thursday, 21 March 2024 11:18 PM

Thank You Mr. Fernando for the very generous donation. God Bless You and your family.

JUST A THOUGHT Thursday, 21 March 2024 11:30 PM

What a generous donation, this family will be blessed and their generations to come. We NEED MORE generous families to follow through with donations and or funds to open FOOD BANKS in areas where the poor and less fortunate citizens are, so they can put food on the table in their hour of need. Food Banks should be managed by volunteers and all seeking help should be registered. Would be a nice idea for once those who were directly and or indirectly responsible for bringing the country to its knees , to be brought before a court of law and wealth and properties confiscated, positive we could have FOOD BANKS. NO MONEY GIVEN, only fruit, vegetables, dry rations.

ANNECUNT Friday, 22 March 2024 01:57 AM

are these STOLEN MONEY like the RAJAPAKSAS have you paid 10% to basil

Concerned Friday, 22 March 2024 12:49 PM

Your name says it all.

DISGUSTED Friday, 22 March 2024 05:08 PM

ANNE, go check the donors name on google and see what you come up with, clearly has NO connection to the corrupt, he is a reputable businessman well respected and known around the world, so time to WITHDRAWN your COMMENT as that response is DISRESPECTFUL to say the least.

Chris. Canada Saturday, 23 March 2024 03:46 AM

Disgusting.

Sagara mdapathage Saturday, 23 March 2024 06:26 AM

This donation of icu beds for srilankan government hospitals should be highly appreciated

Ari Friday, 22 March 2024 02:31 AM

There should have been a phot op with the greatful donor from Canada and not a Minister who had nothing to do with the donation but loves photo ops that they can market.

FredSnR Friday, 22 March 2024 02:48 AM

Yes give the recognition it deserves what a govt has not bee able to do a family has done, so much public good

Mahila Friday, 22 March 2024 02:53 AM

The Patients, who inhabit these Health Institutions with these modern facilities, would very soon realise the near ‘Shambolic Resources’ provided for servicing their health NEEDS, (promoted as the state's provision FOC) compared to Road Construction and "Carpeting", enabling 'FILIBUSTERING' the system to One's Hip Pocket!!!??? HYPER SUPER Health Service!? These Politicians have no shame!!??

Zak Friday, 22 March 2024 03:44 AM

Thank you Mr Fernando for the generous donation. We should create a culture of similar donations to public hospitals by general public.

Ram Friday, 22 March 2024 03:47 AM

Super gesture. Since it is beds and not money the full benefit is likely to reach our people. Thank you

Ram Friday, 22 March 2024 03:52 AM

In the good old days, say over 75 years ago we saw our Philanthropists gifting their assets to the government to use for public purposes and today we see some of those assets misused. Do we have any politician who has donated assets to benefit the public. What they do is use public money, complete a project and put their names on the plaques. Bloody insincere people

Bandu Friday, 22 March 2024 04:26 AM

Only to govt depts there is publicity. I know an old boy of a school in the hills who has migrated and has donated Rs.100M for his alma mater to modernise and upgrade the IT section of the school. Some expats still feel so much for their old schools or motherland.

Terrence K Friday, 22 March 2024 05:59 AM

@Nandasena Gopallawa - When any person makes a donation the right hand must not know what the left hand is doing. This handing over ceremony is sufficient to thank the donors which goes with blessings. Only the heathen will tom tom beat to show the world that they have done this deed which will be of no value as they have already got their recognition from human beings!!!!!!!!!

P Kunchithapathan Friday, 22 March 2024 06:32 AM

This generous contribution, made at the behest of Rev. Fr. Darrel Coonghe, is highly commendable. It reflects the admirable efforts of a family who, despite working diligently in freezing sub-zero temperatures, managed to save a substantial sum of money. Their decision to donate state-of-the-art ICU beds is truly noteworthy. However, it brings to light a concerning reality. While politicians, doctors, and government officials enjoy lavish perks, the existing valuable infrastructure in government hospitals often goes neglected. The lack of proper after-sales care in these hospitals is evident, and as a result, these new ICU beds may sadly face a similar fate. As this government is hell bent on IMF loans and not at all interested to develop country's local production and export market. Worst scenario is the uncrupulous elements behind the president is push import of luxurious cars.

DD Friday, 22 March 2024 07:03 AM

It's truly heartwarming to witness the generosity of Patrick Nilkamal Fernando and his family. One can't help but wish that our BAHIRAWA politicians would follow suit and prioritize such noble acts over their own interests. Thank you again, Fernandos, your actions speak volumes about the true spirit of humanity. May your kindness be repaid tenfold, and may you find yourselves in the front row seats of heaven one day.

Dulan Friday, 22 March 2024 07:38 AM

This is so good.Nahil wijesuriya founder of East West donated Rs.10 billion.last month to a govt children's hospital for new buildings and equipment.

Sambo Friday, 22 March 2024 07:50 AM

May God bless this family. But the politicians would have appreciated cash so they could earn something.

Colombo Citizen Friday, 22 March 2024 08:27 AM

I appreciate the donation of this family. I know many professionals who got the requisite qualifications using poor Srilankan money and serving White people now. The worst part is most of them sold their ancestral properties and took that money also to their new homeland. Not undermine the generosity of this family.

Ravathnam Saturday, 23 March 2024 01:18 AM

You are absolutely right with your comment. I wish all immigrants should love the place they were born and raised. Grow and earn in other countries but do something for people who are left behind just like this family. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this!

Tonga Friday, 22 March 2024 08:30 AM

God Bless them!

Uvaiz Friday, 22 March 2024 09:12 AM

This is the best way, loot proof, if fund is sent some one in high up can manipulate.

Sunila Friday, 22 March 2024 09:57 AM

Good… eventually people will benefit but this money came from the people itself… follow the trail …just crumbs from the loot pre election campaigns

Tilak Friday, 22 March 2024 09:58 AM

These should have been purchased through Health Ministry funds, which we do not have, as we allocate more funds for Defense

sam Friday, 22 March 2024 10:55 AM

Gov must recognise the family. Many thanks to them

Akila Friday, 22 March 2024 11:01 AM

Bed alone can't account to be that amount. There must have been other equipment too.. Bad reporting or intentionally misleading people.

Mahila Friday, 22 March 2024 11:15 PM

These beds aren't just simply 4 “Powder Coated Tubing welded to 4 vertical stands” as you see in SL Hospitals!!?? They are sophisticated, and advanced design and Construction, with “Hydraulic Powered Lift and Alignment” to ensure one-man Operation, including proper medical examination of patients instead of Manual Handling!!!??? Locals, wouldn't know to even order spares for routine maintenance, and therefore would be converted to scrap, for NO Fault of the DONOR, Manufacturer or CANADA!!?? Stupid Sri Lankans, soon confine as unsuitable for Sri Lankan conditions – in other words, doesn’t suit there “Laid-Back Attitude”!? SILLY B_____s!!??? Divine land, and inhabitants, THRICE BLESSED, as if, they Jolly-well know where they are HEADING!? Pure self-conceited Hyperbole state of INTELLIGENCE!!?? None else!!??

Mithun Friday, 22 March 2024 12:23 PM

Happy to see such donation and fortunately the man behind the bar (Above the bar - Bed) is not the Health Minister now.

Patriot Friday, 22 March 2024 12:29 PM

Thanks to all of your kind generosity. This is what expatriates should do rather than trying to destabilise the country.

Wagner Friday, 22 March 2024 12:36 PM

Mr Fernando it was a good move to donate the equipment had you donated the money it would have gone to the politicians pocket like the the Tsunami donation May God bless you

Wiseman Friday, 22 March 2024 12:40 PM

All this good stuff... but over govt sector does not know how to maintain existing assets. So things break and we again have to live on donations.

Dbcveobgkbm Friday, 22 March 2024 12:56 PM

Absolutely 100 percent correct, this shows, still rich people who are doing well in other countries, have so much of good feelings, towards the country of Ceylon. Very unfortunately some people are gospels to thickness, their destroying our country, and they do work as if its own by them (Rajapakse's)

happy Friday, 22 March 2024 01:34 PM

Thank you Mr. Fernando

visnu Friday, 22 March 2024 02:58 PM

Thanks to Fernando family. There are so many Sri Lankans abroad willing to donate/support Sri Lanka in various ways, the only problem is politic roughs. They will rob like Tsunami donations.

Gamini Friday, 22 March 2024 03:29 PM

recently Brandix Ashraf Omar donated Rs.2.5 Billion for a kidney transplant unit at Ragama hospital. Please thank him also for this mighty generosity

Lanka putha Friday, 22 March 2024 04:47 PM

Thanks. Good luck and god bless you all.

Roger T Friday, 22 March 2024 05:01 PM

Big thank you for the your kind hearted generosity! You're setting the example and we will follow

Hemantha Friday, 22 March 2024 05:19 PM

My heart felt gratitude to this name ble family on behalf of the country

sandcastle Friday, 22 March 2024 05:20 PM

Good donation. It will be even better if these were distributed either by the needs, or demographically, rather than by the religious beliefs or ethnicity. (Apparently, only predominantly Catholic areas and areas dominated by minorities were selected)

R Abayasekara Friday, 22 March 2024 05:24 PM

May God Bless them for their generosity. However, it would have been nicer if they ordered these ICU beds from a Sri Lankan manufacturer. My company built these in Sri Lanka (completely in Stainless Steel) from 1997 to 1999. I closed the company in 2022, but I suppose there must be others who still carry on business.

Jega Friday, 22 March 2024 06:23 PM

Big thanks for the donors who showed some pity for the poor people who go to the hospital for treatment. What about the government? In most of the hospitals two patients are compelled to share one small bed. None of the health ministry officials of the government big shots never think about this. Even the oposition parties who shed crocodile tears for the people never speak about this unhealthy and shameful situation in the parliament. If there is no space build new hospitals with loans .

Navi Friday, 22 March 2024 10:33 PM

Choicest blessings to the Fernando family.

Ranjith Susantha Saturday, 23 March 2024 07:37 AM

It's a great,great,help to Health Industry in Sri Lanka. We will wish you a healthy lone life for your entire family.

Sangaralingham Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:50 AM

All donations welcome but we need proper democracy and full social harmony for continuing support

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Sri Lankan family in Canada donates ICU beds worth Rs. 400 Mn to SL

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