Army 'Samaritans' in Record Time Supplement New ICCs with 20,000 Beds & Provisions

The Sri Lanka Army, throwing its full weight behind as 'health providers', quite identical to the way they committed themselves to the elimination of terrorism as 'Defenders of the Nation' are now nearing completion of manufacture/provision of record 20,000 beds and island-wide erection of more than 112 Army-improvised Intermediate Care Centres (ICCs), in addition to continuing conduct of Quarantine Centres and assistance to vaccination units.

As the initial threat of the 3rd wave of the virus attack was looming fast after the New Year, General Shavendra Silva, Head, National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army on 21 April 2021 went on record saying that the bed capacity of government hospitals at first would be supplemented with 10,000 additional beds within a few days under the Phase 1, and a similar stock of 10,000 more beds within a few weeks.

By Saturday (22), the Army has provided a total of 19,501 metal beds to Army-improvised ICCs across the island, most of which were manufactured after the epidemic struck last year at the Army Industrial Complex at Kosgama, run by skilled troops of the Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps (SLAOC) as per guidelines given by Master General Ordnance (MGO) of the Army who is also the Colonel Commandant of the SLAOC on the directions of the Commander of the Army. In addition, those troops by Saturday (22) have stitched 60,002 bed sheets and pillow cases, etc for exclusive use of patients seeking admission to those ICCs.

Accordingly, Army-improvised ICCs and hospitals in total have set apart 22,198 beds for COVID-19 patients, including those supplied by the Army.

All Security Force HQs across the island on Commander's SOS instructions simultaneously undertook the task and jumped into action by third week of April and went on screening possible state or private sector buildings that can be converted as ICCs to accommodate new COVID-19 cases while providing technical support to regional hospitals for the same purpose in consultation with Regional Directors of Health and Medical professionals in respective regions.

A breakdown of the Army-converted ICCs and hospital buildings for COVID-19 infectees are as follows:

ICCs at Periyapachchapalai, Vadukkodei Technical College, Kopay National College and Navathkuli under the Security Force Headquarters Jaffna.

Thirumurukkandi, Former Army Hospital - Bharathipuram and Paranthan ICC under the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi.

Batticaloa Campus - Poonani, Pulathisipura Teaching School - Gallella, Nilaveli Samurdhi Centre, Brandix-Poonani, Hardy Technical College - Ampara, Kandakadu and Kanthale Youth Centre, Hingurakgoda and Nursing Training School - Ampara under the Security Force Headquarters - East.

Battalion Training School 68 Division and Puthukuddirippu Veenawil under the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu.

Turkey City School of Mannar, Wahamalgollewa SLAOC Factory, Vavuniya Economic Centre, CSD Galkiriyagama Training School and CSD Mihinthale under the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni.

Yakkala Youth Centre, WathupitiwalaYouth Centre, Bingiriya Teaching School, Saripuththa Teaching School - Dambadeniya, Marsy Education Center - Madurankuli, Ayuruveda - Rajagiriya, Brandex - Rambukkana, Mahaweli Youth Centre - Embilipitiya, Ruwanpura Teaching School - Kahawatte, Teaching School - Darga Town, Pasdunrata Teaching School - Horana, University of Colombo Horana Sripali Art Faculty, Akmeemana - Ruhuna Teaching School, Karandeniya Hospital, Polwatte Hospital, Habaraduwa Hospital, Benthota Hospital, Weligama Hospital, Deiyandara Hospital, Deniyaya Pallegama Hospital, Jamiya Nalimiya Vocational Training School - Beruwala, Belihuloya Electricity Board Training Centre, Meegoda Ayurveda Hospital, School of Excellence - Madurankeni, Baduraliya Ayurveda Hospital, Iranawila Hospital, Colombo Campus Ayurvedic Faculty, Meegoda HR Centre, Awissawella HR Centre, Kalawana Electricity Board Building, Brandix - Seeduwa, Mathugama Hospital, Navinna Ayurveda Hospital, Conventional Centre - Colombo, Wariyapola Wayaba Agriculture Training School, Meethotamulla Government Paddy Store, Vocational Training School - Ratmalana, Rathnapura Ayurveda Hospital, Jamburaliya Ayurveda Hospital - Piliyandala, Ayurveda Hospital - Kegalle, Maliyadewa Rajamaha Viharaya Wattarama - Kegalle, Ayurveda Hospital - Meegoda, Chandrikaweva Hospital, Eheliyagoda Hospital, Balangoda Hospital, Batapola Regional Hospital, Baddegama Hospital, Hakmana Gangodagama Regional Hospital, Dickwella Hospital, Akuressa Hospital, Horana Salvation Army Centre, Child Protection Training Centre - Panadura and Idalkanda Garment Factory under the Security Force Headquarters – West.

DEPO Building – Kahagolla, Mahaweli Teaching School – Polgolla, Agunukolapalapalassa Agro Training School, Bidunuwewa Teaching School, Panideniya Teaching School, Gampola Youth Center, Gampola Meepilimana Youth Center, General Hospital – Hambanthota, Ambalanthota Hospital, Medagama Hospital, Walasmulla Hospital, Wellawaya Youth Centre, Kirinda Hospital, Tangalle Hospital, Buttala Hospital, NIPM Bagawanthalawa, Divisional Hospital Middeniya, Town Hall Nuwara Eliya, Divisional Hospital - Kirama, Hambanthota Weerawila Youth Center, Siyambalanduwa Youth Centre, Lunugamwehera Youth Centre, Monaragala Youth Center, Youth Centre Mapakadawewa - Mahiyangana, CTB Merrygold Building - Badulla and Faculty of Agriculture - Waligatta under the Security Force Headquarters - Central.

Nalanada Hospital, Galewela Hospital, Laggala Hospital, Mathale Technical College, Ambana Hospital, Dambulla Tech College and Innamaluwa Youth Cen under the 53 Division Headquarters.

Source: www.army.lk