Friday, May 6, 2011

Lanka Hospitals eyes Europe, Middle East markets

By Jithendra Antonio


Lanka Hospitals (LHCL) is to promote Sri Lanka as a tourism and wellness destination that offers customized, specialist packages extensively across Asia, Europe, Middle East, the company’s annual report outlines.

Chief Executive Officer of LHCL, Lakith Peiris in his review explains that the move will allow the traveler not only benefit through affordable, world-class medical care but also use that time period to experience Sri Lanka as a holiday destination.

“The product will be sold extensively across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and identified key markets.” Peiris says adding that the product will be unique so that each package will comprise of full service including procurement of visas, travel arrangements, accommodation etc.

According to Peiris, the establishment of an International Patient Care Centre will facilitate many services under one roof.

These plans had been suggested by Lanka Hospitals PLC (LHCL) with a view to anchor itself as a powerhouse in healthcare in the Asian region, aiming to strategically position itself in eight key areas during the financial year 2011.

Chief Executive Officer of LHCL Lakith Peiris further stressed that the hospital plans to enhance capacities in the number of beds, operating theatre facilities and Intensive Care Units for both pre and postoperative care and to focus on Laboratory services to meet growth in the market through a combination of technological advancements is part of this strategic plan.

Company also intends to enhance capacities in areas of OPD, consultation services and through the establishment of specialty and super specialty clinics.

Business activities, including exports have begun to pickup even overcoming the world economic recession experienced during the last couple of years as well. Foreign investors have also begun to see the potential and the bright future that awaits this country. The tourism sector especially shows immense potential and hope for the future.

With the massive infrastructure development programmes undertaken by the Government and the rebuilding of lives of all affected people, especially those in the North and the East of the country have begun to reap the benefits of peace, through the expansion of production activities and generation of supplies for export.

In the above background, it is most shocking to witness the attempt being made to undertake a meaningless exercise to investigate human rights violations during the conduct of the war, to appease the agendas and ulterior motives of interest groups as well as supporters of the terrorist outfit, the ‘Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)’. It is also noteworthy that the Panel Report makes an attempt to legitimize its biased conclusions by proposing that human rights violations of both the state and the terrorist group be investigated. This boils down to an exercise which will be confined to the alleged violations by the state, because responsible leaders and core members of the terrorist outfit no longer exists to be investigated. It is appalling that the so called protectors of human rights and humanitarian law chose to watch in silence for many years while the terrorists committed the most inhuman acts and violations of human rights.

Any attempt to pursue an agenda to initiate an investigation at this stage will only result in the disruption of all development activities being undertaken by the Government, discourage investments in business activities both by foreign investors and Sri Lankans, create mistrust and divisions between the communities once again instead of healing them, and encourage the remnants of terrorists and those with divisive motives to regroup and rise once again.

In the above background, the NCE which represents the cream of the Exporter Community in Sri Lanka that contributes over three fourths of export earnings, generating employment opportunities to thousands, including those eagerly awaiting such opportunities in the war ravaged North and East, is determined to extend its fullest support to the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome the machinations of forces who wish to see the disruption of the prevailing peace and economic activities of the country to achieve their evil ends.

source - www.dailymirror.lk

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