The great gift from Japan

I have returned after two days at the Sri Jayawardenanapura hospital (SJH) and have much to commend on how it is run.I was not that ill and was able to observe the working of this great institution at firsthand. Thousands of people throng this place every day for different illness requiring observations, tests and whatever.

I saw everyone treated with courtesy and kindness, specially by the doctors and other staff. I was in a ward that was meticulously clean and not overcrowded with the staff doing their work in a professional manner.

This is a hospital gifted to Sri Lanka by Japan. It was an outright gift, not loan funded and is a gift that is serving the Sri Lankan people in numerous ways. Its services are not confined to any stratum of society or community. It is a gift given us by the people of Japan for the wise words spoken at the San Francisco Peace Conference after World War ll by Mr. JR Jayewardene.

Much was discussed there including payment of war reparations. JRJ made an eloquent speech quoting the Buddha saying that “hatred cease not by hatred but by love.” It was a plea for LOVE and FORGIVENESS and not reparations.

The speech resonated among world leaders and was received with applause and respect. Japan remained a free country to follow her economic program. The rest is history.

That is how Japan came to give us this wonderful hospital at President Jayawardene’s request. He didn’t ask for a Nelum Pokuna or some vainglory project but something useful for all Lankans.

I left the hospital with my heart filled with gratitude to those who made it possible and those unseen hands that keep it going the way it does.Thank you, Japan, JRJ and everybody at SJH.

Padmini Nanayakkara,Colombo-3.