In order to support the Indian government’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to bankruptcy-hit Sri Lanka, well-known social and spiritual leader, Sadguru Madhusudan Sai inaugurated the first phase of a 75-bedded free super speciality hospital, Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Super Speciality Hospital in Batticaloa, a region in the east of the island of Sri Lanka.

The island nation of Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis, unemployment and inflation, which has dealt a heavy blow to its robust health system and has led to a terrible short supply of essential life-saving drugs, common antibiotics, and paediatric care, among others. At this hour of need, the Sai Global Federation of Foundations, led by Sadguru Madhusudan Sai, has extended support through its member-foundation in Sri Lanka – Sri Sathya Sai Karuna Nilayam Foundation, which was established in the year 2016.

The inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Super Speciality Hospital was presided over by the Guest of Honour – Aravinda de Silva, Former Sri Lankan International Cricketer and Captain, and was attended by officials from the Government and the Diplomatic Community of Sri Lanka, members of medical fraternity and armed forces from Sri Lanka, in the presence of Sadguru Madhusudan Sai.

Recognising the selfless services of Sri Sathya Sai Karunanilayam Foundation, the President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be addressing all of you on this momentous occasion of the inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Kirankulam in Batticaloa under the Sri Sathya Sai Karuna Nilayam Foundation. The services rendered by this foundation, completely free of cost, stands out even more so in the background of the economic turbulence we are facing at present in our country. I understand that the foundation, since its inception in 2017, has treated over 16,000 outpatients. The services rendered are inspiring and their vision for the future healthcare mission with this specialised hospital is truly something very special."

At the event, Aravinda de Silva said, “About two weeks ago, I got a message from a very famous man from India, who has been very dear to me and has been one of my childhood idols…that was none other than Sunil Gavaskar. His message was a request to represent him at the inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Super Speciality Hospital at Batticaloa in Sri Lanka. Before coming here, I didn’t anticipate this kind of magnitude, effort and love that has gone into this project, and witnessing this in person is a remarkable experience; for something like this to happen within 5 years is indeed remarkable. Congratulations for achieving this in the last five years."

"Today, after having completed my childhood phase of enjoying playing cricket, as a cricketer who contributed towards the game of cricket by representing Sri Lanka, as a business man who has established his own business for the last 14 years; it is time to serve my country, and at this juncture, I find my thinking matching with the motto of this organization – Love All Serve All. We have enjoyed everything from this lovely nation and now it is time to give the country back what it deserves. Thanks to everyone who has put in so much effort and time to make this hospital happen. My support and help will be there anytime,” added Silva.

Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai said, “This is the first time in the history of Sri Lankan healthcare, where a speciality hospital is set up completely free of cost. When we want to do good, the whole universe conspires to do good. Every child in Sri Lanka is as important as a child in our own country. Sri Lanka and India share a lot in common — be it our spirituality, history – both culture and colonial, passion for cricket…congenital heart disease is our common burden and hence a solution for this is our common cause. I hope there is a day in Sri Lanka when every child has access to good education, nutrition and healthcare.”

The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Super Speciality Hospital in Batticaloa will begin its operations by conducting free paediatric cardiac care surgeries and interventions in the next few days. The hospital is all set to grow in phases to conduct various healthcare missions across specialities, with the support of its international partners across 33 countries. Even during the COVID times, the medical centre responded to the nutritional needs of the needy by serving hot and nutritious cooked food in the surrounding villages. The Sri Lankan Healthcare Fraternity recognised the hospital as capable of bridging the gap in paediatric cardiac care in Sri Lanka, where 3,000 children are born with a congenital heart disease every year.