A major boost has arrived for local healthcare. The upgraded Dr. Neville Fernando Memorial Air Force Hospital in Malabe opened on November 9, after extensive renovations backed by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The opening took place following an invitation from Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe. Guests saw the unveiling of the commemorative plaque and took part in an inspection walk across the hospital grounds.
New Hybrid Setup
This project moved forward after the approval of a joint Cabinet paper presented alongside President and Minister of Defence Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The shift ends the temporary management framework running since the site was acquired in 2017. Under the fresh hybrid model, a firm fully owned by the General Treasury holds the ownership, while day-to-day operations are officially handled by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Officials noted that this arrangement shows how the state plans to put unused and underutilized public assets to proper work for citizens.
Care for Millions
The newly launched facility provides the Sri Lanka Air Force with its own dedicated healthcare centre. At the same time, it helps ease the shortage of tertiary medical care for nearly 5 million residents living in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.
Several key dignitaries gathered for the launch, including Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Asitha Niroshana, Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, and Swarnamali Fernando, wife of the late Dr. Neville Fernando.
They were joined by Air Force Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanawera, hospital Chief Executive Officer Air Commodore Niluka Abeysekara, along with former Air Force Commanders, Board Members, senior military officers, and staff.
