On the directives of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, the construction of a New Triage Centre adjoining the Base Hospital at Panadura commenced on the 13th of May 2020. This is the first such Triage Centre which has been established to strengthen the health care professionals at Panadura in their untiring battle against COVID-19.

Triage is the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments by the severity of their condition or likelihood of recovery with or without treatment. This rations patient treatment efficiently when resources are not abundantly available. This method helps to determine the priority of emergency treatment, emergency transportation or required medical care for the patient.

An SLAF Engineering Team of 15 airmen from the Civil Engineering Wing at Katunayake led by Squadron Leader Kasun Wickramatunga were deployed to complete the project within the shortest possible time. The project which was completed within 12 days under the supervision of the Directorate of Civil Engineering.

The construction of the new Triage Centre was funded by the Esufally Family and Hemas Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. This was the first project completed under the theme “Pera Maga” which is a project to enhance your safety and keep the nation safe from COVID-19.

The Centre was declared open today (28 May 2020) by Mrs. Avanti Esufally the wife of Mr. Murtaza Esufally Chairman of Hemas Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd and Hemas Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd. The simple opening ceremony was attended by Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain, Kumar Sangakkara as well. The Director Civil engineering of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Ruchira Samarasinghe also participated for the opening ceremony.

Dr. Sanjay Perera coordinated the process with Air Commodore Udula Wijesinghe coordinating the engineering process which was handled by the SLAF.