1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance fleet to be expanded to 500 units

Colombo, Nov. 14 (Daily Mirror) - Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the government has begun implementing plans to expand the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance fleet to 500 vehicles, with upgrades incorporating the latest global technologies to modernize emergency medical services.

The Minister said discussions are currently underway with the Indian government to secure 100 additional ambulances. In addition, Sri Lanka expects to receive 20 ambulances through an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan facility and a further 25 as direct donations.

Minister Jayatissa made these remarks on Thursday after inspecting a special training program aimed at enhancing the skills of emergency medical technicians, conducted by the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation.

According to the Health Ministry, the five-day program is being held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute under the guidance of a team of complementary medicine experts led by Professor Will Broughton of Buckinghamshire New University, UK.

This is the fourth time the specialized training series is being conducted. The Ministry noted that Professor Broughton and his team are participating without any payment from Sri Lanka, with all costs — including airfare — covered by the British High Commission in Sri Lanka and the medical experts themselves.