State Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva says it is regrettable that some sections spread rumors politically attacking the free 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service.
The State Minister, founder of the free emergency ambulance service, stressed that the Indian company GVK does not own Suwa Seriya ambulance service and it is 100 percent owned by the Sri Lankan government.
National movement for Protection of Consumer Rights yesterday accused that the Suwa Seriya ambulance service is owned by the Indian company and the government is planning to give a part of the Galle Harbor for GVK to build a marina in return for the ambulances.
“It is with a terrible sense of disappointment that I note that there are some people in this country who can go so low as to politically attack the lifesaving 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service saying that the government is to give Indian company GVK a marina in Galle as ‘pay back’ for ‘free ambulance gift’ by them,” Minister de Silva said in a Facebook post.
“This is absolutely false. It’s despicable. Suwa Seriya is 100 percent Government of SL entity and for all services we obtained from TATA, GVK EMRI, Tech Mahendra and several other companies during the phase 1 roll out we have paid them. Nothing was given free by GVK or any of the other companies,” he stressed.
The Suva Seriya ambulance service was started with a US $ 22.7 million non-repayable grant from Government of India. Although the service was initiated by the Indian assistance the service is maintained by the public money, according to the Minister.
“The generous grant (gift) of USD 22.7m by the Government of India was used for the vehicles and all other equipment and training for the initial launch but since 2017 the Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken all operational expenses for phase 1 and will do so for phase 2 from 2019. The current phase 2 island wide launch is totally handled by Suwa Seriya,” Dr. de Silva explained.
Referring to the rumor about the marina in Galle, the State Minister said at a time the country needs foreign direct investments most, it would be important for Sri Lanka if any party is building a marina for tourist boats in a part of the Galle Port.
However, it should only be done by following a proper procurement process, he said adding that it is the responsibility of the Port and Shipping Ministry and everyone has the right to question the Ministry about it.
“We have come to know there had been a recent call for expression of interest for a marina in Galle and we expect that it should have total transparency and is the duty of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping to ensure same,” he said.
If it is carried out without transparency, everyone including the National movement for Protection of Consumer Rights has the right to go to court against the project, he added condemning the attempts to discredit the free ambulance service.
“However, I firmly condemn this attempt to discredit the free ambulance service by presenting facts that do not have any connection with the “Suwa Seriya service, which provides an unlimited service to the people of Sri Lanka,” he said.
“Furthermore no one can be allowed to use the good name of 1990 Suwa Seriya for self-promotion. If done so by any party we will deal with it in an appropriate manner.”
“Once again I wish to reiterate the 1990 Suwa Seriya has absolutely nothing to do with a marina in Galle and request not to politicize this amazing lifesaving service,” State Minster Dr. Harsha de Silva stressed.
