The High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, met the Hon. Minister of Health of the Government of Sri Lanka, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, on 11 April, 2011 to review bilateral relations between the two countries in the health sector. Several important issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.

The High Commissioner informed the Minister that work on the construction of a 150-bed base hospital at Dickoya, Hatton under Government of India grant assistance of SLRs. 1180 million had commenced in March 2011 and sought the Minister’s assistance and cooperation for completing the work on schedule. Hon. Minister assured the High Commissioner that the Government of Sri Lanka would extend full support to the project.

The High Commissioner also informed the Minister that the Government of India was additionally implementing a grant assistance project for the supply of medical equipment to the two General Hospitals in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu for which tenders for equipment procurement had already been floated. It was noted that the project of the Government of India supplying medical equipment for Jaffna Teaching Hospital was completed in January 2011. The Minister expressed his appreciation for the assistance being provided by India.

The issue regarding the creation of an appropriate facility for housing the Bhabhatron Radiotherapy Machine at Hambantota General Hospital for the treatment of cancer was also discussed. The High Commissioner urged early completion of the facility since the machine was ready to be provided to Sri Lanka. It would be recalled that the Government of India had announced the gift of a Bhabhatron Radiotherapy Machine to the Government of Sri Lanka at the IAEA General Conference held in September 2010.

Recent media reports on the possible suspension of some pharmaceutical companies from India for allegedly violating tender norms also came up during the meeting. Recalling the long-standing cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector between India and Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner said that India had a well-established and vibrant pharmaceuticals industry, which was committed to supplying quality drugs at affordable prices. India had emerged as a leading global exporter of generic drugs and other pharmaceutical products. Indian companies had exported over $10 billion of drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals last year, with a large proportion of exports going to markets in advanced economies.

With regard to the concerns expressed by the Government of Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner suggested that careful delineation of technical standards and selection of companies was essential in the tendering process and proposed that a delegation from the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) visit Sri Lanka to meet the local health authorities regarding the procedure adopted by Government of Sri Lanka for sourcing pharmaceuticals from India. This would help in working out a mechanism to prevent substandard and low quality manufacturers from entering the market by exploiting loopholes in the procedures. The Minister welcomed this suggestion and it was agreed to organize an early visit by PHARMEXCIL to India.

While the High Commissioner requested for the details of the companies alleged to have violated tender norms, there was no discussion during the meeting on any legal action being taken by the Government of India against Indian suppliers. The Hon. Minister of Health also clarified to the High Commissioner that the allegation was only against a few companies and not against Indian industry as such.

The Hon. Minister and the High Commissioner agreed on the need for further stepping up cooperation between the two countries in the health sector. In this context, the High Commissioner suggested that the Hon. Minister visit India. The Hon. Minister responded positively to the suggestion.

Colombo