– The Ministry of Health and Media has appointed new directors to 17 key healthcare institutions, with Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stating that policy decisions to strengthen the healthcare sector will be based on long-term national development rather than short-term political considerations.The letters of appointment were handed over during an official ceremony held at the Ministry of Health and Media, with appointments made to several major hospitals, provincial health offices, regional health institutions, and specialized health programs.

Among the major institutional appointments are:

• Dr. S.D.U.M. Ranga – Director, Castle Street Hospital for Women
• Dr. C. Perera – Director, De Soysa Maternity (Teaching) Hospital
• Dr. K.M. Somaratne – Director, Mahamodara Teaching Hospital (German Sri Lanka Friendship Women’s Hospital)
• Dr. B.I. Kurukulasuriya – Director, National Eye Hospital
• Dr. J.P. Ranasinghe – Director, Matara General Hospital

New provincial and regional health service appointments include:

• Dr. A.M.S. Bandara – Sabaragamuwa Provincial Director of Health Services
• Dr. N. Saravanabhavan – Eastern Provincial Director of Health Services
• Dr. A.M.T.K. Attanayake – Badulla Regional Director of Health Services
• Dr. P.A.D.D.S. Ponweera – Puttalam Regional Director of Health Services
• Dr. W.A.S.S. Wickrama – Kandy Regional Director of Health Services
• Dr. S.T.A.P. Serasinghe – Monaragala Regional Director of Health Services
• Dr. C. Murage – Kalutara Regional Director of Health Services
• Dr. B. Kayalvili – North Western Provincial Deputy Director of Health Services

Appointments were also made to specialized health programmes and units:

• Dr. E. Rajapakse – Director of Mental Health
• Dr. J.K.M.N. Jayakody – Director of the Anti-Malaria Campaign
• Dr. J.M.S.A. Jayasinghe – Director of the Anti-Leprosy Campaign
• Dr. N.H. Dharmathilaka – Director of the Food Control Administration Unit

Addressing the newly appointed directors, Minister Jayatissa said the appointments marked a significant step towards improving healthcare administration. He said resolving long-standing administrative issues was made possible through the commitment of the Ministry Secretary and senior officials.

He stated that the government had worked over the past one and a half years to stabilize the economy and rebuild public confidence in state institutions, while calling on the new directors to convert the public mandate into effective service delivery.

The Minister also assured the appointees that they would be given greater operational authority to manage their institutions without political interference.

Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, advised the new directors to focus on transparent management, cooperation, and decisive leadership to improve the performance of healthcare institutions.