Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), speaking after the ceremonial opening Monday of the Trincomalee District Ayurveda Hospital said that he was pleased that the opening was held on Black Tigers Day which he said was an important day for the liberation struggle of Tamil people. The Ayurveda Hospital is located at Kappalthurai, a resettled Tamil village along the Trincomalee-Colombo highway, about eight km off the east port town.
Earlier Minister of Indigenous Medicine in the minority United Peoples Freedom Alliance government Mr. Tissa Karaliyadde declared open the hospital built at a cost of 1.4 million rupees by the Provincial Ministry of Health.
NEPC Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah, Line Ministry Secretary Mr.N.A.Karunasena, Provincial Secretary for Ministry of Health Mr.M.S.Ratnaike, Trincomalee District Government Agent Mr. Gamini Rodrigo, Trincomalee district UPFA parliamentarian Mr.Jayantha Wijesekara and several health ministry officials participated in the event.
Mr.Elilan arrived after the ceremonial opening of the hospital and when the meeting attended by Minister Tissa Karaliyadde was in progress. Mr.Elilan was introduced to Minister and other government officials. Mr.Karaliadde shook hands with Mr.Elilan.
UPFA parliamentarian representing the Trincomalee district on behalf of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Mr. Jayantha Wijesekara was also present in the meeting, sources said.
Minister Mr.Karaliadde outlined the objectives of his ministry in developing the indigenous medicine in the country. He added he would discharge his duties without any bias and discrimination towards any community, race or religion. Shortcomings and grievances and needs should be rectified through discussion, he said.
Parliamentarian Mr.Jayantha Wijesekara, Mr.Rangaraja and other health ministry officials also spoke.
Jaffna University Siddha Medicine Faculty Professor Dr.S.Bavany who conducted the event also translated all speeches made in Tamil and Sinhala.