The United States has given $517,000 to support the construction of Poonakari hospital in the Kilinochchi district, as part of a program to support the Northern Provincial Council.
The hospital, which was opened on the 27th of August, is one of nine different hospitals that have received US$3.8 million in assistance from the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Attending the opening ceremony, U.S. Embassy Political Counsellor Michael Honigstein said,
"This new hospital in Pooneryn, as well as all of the hospitals that we've supported in the former conflict-affected areas in partnership with the government, are helping the Health Minister and the Northern Provincial Council provide access to quality healthcare for tens of thousands of people living in the surrounding communities."
He was joined by Provincial Minister P Sathiyalingam, who added,
"We are very proud of our close working relationship with the U.S. Embassy and USAID… These efforts are critical to helping our people in this area improve their standards of living."
Also present at the ceremony was Sri Lankan Economic Minister Basil Rajapaksa, EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, and Governor of Northern Province Major General G.A. Chandrasiri.