Dialog Axiata has spent Rs. 42 million refurbishing the emergency treatment unit at Kotmale Regional Hospital, completing another healthcare project under the company’s Rs. 420 million contribution towards Sri Lanka’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah.
The refurbished facility was formally opened to the public on November 5, according to the Government Information Department.
The investment covered renovation work and the provision of modern medical equipment required for emergency treatment.
The project is intended to improve access to emergency healthcare for residents of Kotmale and surrounding communities.
Hospital project accounts for 10% of announced contribution
The government’s statement identifies Rs. 420 million as Dialog’s broader financial contribution towards recovery activities following Cyclone Ditwah.
The Rs. 42 million allocated to Kotmale Hospital represents exactly 10% of that amount.
This percentage is calculated from the two figures disclosed by the government.
The comparison does not establish how much of the remaining Rs. 378 million has already been committed or spent on other projects.
The November 5 announcement does not provide a consolidated expenditure statement covering the company’s entire recovery programme.
Emergency treatment facilities upgraded
The refurbishment involved modernising the hospital’s emergency treatment unit and supplying equipment needed for its operation.
The government said the completed work would improve the hospital’s ability to provide timely treatment during medical emergencies.
However, the announcement does not identify the number of additional treatment beds created through the project.
It also does not disclose the individual items of medical equipment purchased or their respective costs.
No staffing allocation or annual operating budget was included in the statement.
Those figures would help establish the extent to which the refurbishment has increased the hospital’s treatment capacity.
Dialog involved in other hospital improvements
The government also referred to Dialog’s involvement in upgrading healthcare facilities at Chilaw District Hospital.
Those improvements included a surgical theatre and an endoscopy unit.
The November 5 announcement does not provide the separate expenditure associated with the Chilaw facilities.
The company’s healthcare projects form part of cooperation between the private sector and public institutions following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The Kotmale refurbishment represents a completed investment rather than a proposed project.
Hospital officials attend reopening
Kotmale Regional Hospital Medical Superintendent Himesh Weerathunga attended the opening.
Dialog Axiata representatives included Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma and Group Chief Corporate Officer Asanga Priyadarshana.
Government representatives and healthcare personnel also participated.
The official announcement confirms the project’s reported expenditure and completion but does not provide independently audited procurement records.
A detailed project account would allow the Rs. 42 million investment to be examined by construction work, medical equipment and other expenditure categories.
