The refurbished Sri Lanka Room at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office in New Delhi was unveiled by the High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam, this month, in the presence of the WHO Regional Director Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang and Dr. Athula Kahandaliyange, Director General, Drug Technical Advisory Committee at the Regional Office and other distinguished guests. At the ceremony held for this purpose, High Commissioner Kariyawasam stated that the Sri Lanka Room is a symbol of cooperation and friendship between the WHO and Sri Lanka and its renovation is a token of appreciation of the assistance rendered by WHO for the development of Sri Lanka’s Health sector, including for promotion of Indigenous medicine.
The Sri Lanka Room was refurbished and re-decorated as well with traditional Sri Lankan masks and handicrafts, with generous assistance provided by Minister of Indigenous Medicine Salinda Dissanayake. A differently abled Sri Lankan artiste Nihal Sangabo Dias did the décor of the walls of the Sri Lanka Room.
Regional Director Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang speaking on the occasion stated that Sri Lanka Room provided a very useful facility to the WHO Regional Office in New Delhi and appreciated the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka for the upkeep of the room.
Dr. Kahandaliyanage in his welcome remarks stated that the renovation was a long felt need and it was possible due to the collective efforts of the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine, the High Commission and other well wishers.
This was the first instance that the Sri Lanka Room was fully renovated and re-decorated after it was first inaugurated in 1963, at the time of the establishment of the WHO Regional Office at the present location in New Delhi.
