Health Ministry appoints new hospital directors

The Ministry of Health and Media has appointed new directors to 17 major healthcare institutions and health service bodies, including the Castle Street Hospital for Women and the National Eye Hospital. 

Letters of appointment were handed over at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health and Media, with appointments made to leading hospitals, provincial health services, regional health institutions, and specialised healthcare programmes. 

Among the key hospital appointments, Dr S.D.U.M. Ranga was named Director of Castle Street Hospital for Women, Dr C. Perera was appointed Director of De Soysa Maternity (Teaching) Hospital, Dr K.M. Somaratne was appointed Director of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital (German Sri Lanka Friendship Women’s Hospital), Dr B.I. Kurukulasuriya was appointed Director of the National Eye Hospital, and Dr J.P. Ranasinghe was appointed Director of Matara General Hospital. 

Several appointments were also made to provincial and regional health services. Dr A.M.S. Bandara was appointed Sabaragamuwa Provincial Director of Health Services, while Dr N. Saravanabhavan assumed duties as Eastern Provincial Director of Health Services. Dr A.M.T.K. Attanayake was appointed Regional Director of Health Services for Badulla, Dr P.A.D.D.S. Ponweera for Puttalam, Dr W.A.S.S. Wickrama for Kandy, Dr S.T.A.P. Serasinghe for Monaragala, and Dr C. Murage for Kalutara. Dr B. Kayalvili was appointed North Western Provincial Deputy Director of Health Services. 

Appointments were also made to several specialised healthcare programmes and units. Dr E. Rajapakse was named Director of Mental Health, Dr J.K.M.N. Jayakody was appointed Director of the Anti-Malaria Campaign, Dr J.M.S.A. Jayasinghe was appointed Director of the Anti-Leprosy Campaign, and Dr N.H. Dharmathilaka was appointed Director of the Food Control Administration Unit. 

Addressing the newly appointed officials, Health and Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the appointments marked a significant step towards strengthening healthcare administration. He stressed that policy decisions aimed at advancing the healthcare sector would be guided by long-term national development and the needs of the public rather than short-term political considerations. 

The Minister also assured the appointees that they would be granted the authority needed to manage their institutions effectively and without political interference, urging them to transform the public mandate into efficient and people-centred service delivery.