Air ambulance service between Maldives and Sri Lanka from March

Air Ambulance service between the Maldives and Sri Lanka is to commence from March, the Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Aviation said yesterday.

In this connection a special discussion took place between Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Maldives Transport and Aviation Services Minister Capt. Mohamed Ameen yesterday.

The Ministry said the service would enable Maldivian citizens to promptly arrive in Sri Lanka for urgent medical treatment in cases of accidents, illnesses, and other health emergencies. Previously, Maldivian citizens were transported to India for emergency medical care.

“However, considering the quality of emergency treatment in Sri Lanka, the Maldivian Government has decided to direct such patients to Sri Lankan hospitals in the future,” the Maldivian Transport and Aviation Services Minister was quoted as saying by the Ministry.

After extensive discussions between the Ministers, it was agreed to launch an air ambulance service between Maldives and the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport from 1 March this year, as part of phase one of the program.

Minister de Silva has granted all necessary approvals to the airport officials and the Civil Aviation Authority for this. Additionally, he instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, to establish a dedicated unit at the airport and ensure it is equipped with all essential facilities. It was also decided during the discussions to initiate a similar service between Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana, and Male in the future.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Maldives in Sri Lanka Fathimath Ghina, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Chairman G.S. Withanage and its Director General P.A. Jayakantha also attended the discussions.