NOCPCO Head Visits Army-converted 400-Bed New ICC at Elpitiya

The Army which undertook the task of converting an abandoned garment industry in Igal Kanda, Elpitiya to serve as an Intermediate Care Center (ICC) for COVID-19 patients completed the project and formally handed it over to the medical staff at Elpitiya Base Hospital on Wednesday (11).

None other than General Shavendra Silva, Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army under whose directions the project with 400 beds and essential medical equipment saw its fruition called at the new ICC this afternoon (12). He closely inspected the inside of the new ICC, its sanitary facilities and had a chat with Army personnel, involved in the project and medical authorities in the hospital.

Troops of the 61 Division, 613 Brigade, 14 Gemunu Watch (14 GW) and 1 Corps of Engineer Services with guidelines given by Health authorities completed the project under the close supervision of Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Commander, Security Forces - West and Major General Dammi Hewage, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division within a few weeks. Financial allocation for its conversion, given by the office of the Governor of the Southern Province, Dr Willie Gamage enabled the troops to finish the project well in time.

General Shavendra Silva, Head, NOCPCO, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, the brainchild behind enhancing of the bed capacity and ICCs in line with the sudden increase of infected ones around the county, instructed Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Commander, Security Forces - West to take prompt action for the conversion of this building for an ICC in less than 2-3 months.

Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Commander, Security Forces - West and Major General Dammi Hewage, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division Brigadier Upul Kodithuwakku, Commander, 613 Brigade, Dr. Aruna Abeywickrama, Director Base Hospital, Elpitiya and several Senior Officers and Other Ranks were associated with the day's programme.

Source: www.army.lk