The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, has inaugurated the Faculty of Medicine at Sabaragamuwa University in Sri Lanka.
The project expands medical education capacity in the country and reinforces development cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education; Eng. Faisal Al-Kahtani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Fund for Development; senior Sri Lankan government officials; and representatives of the Saudi Fund for Development.
The Faculty of Medicine was developed through financing of approximately $50 million provided by the Saudi Fund for Development.
The project strengthens higher education infrastructure and supports the development of Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector.
Medical education infrastructure
The new faculty includes medical laboratories, paraclinical teaching facilities, and a library to support undergraduate medical education and training.
The facility provides students with improved access to medical education while increasing the country’s capacity to train healthcare professionals.
Image Credits: SPA | Cropped by GBN
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, stated that, “We value the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Fund for Development’s contribution to strengthening higher education and expanding opportunities for future generations of Sri Lankan students.”
Eng. Faisal Al-Kahtani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Fund for Development, emphasized that, “The inauguration is about more than opening a Faculty of Medicine. It is an investment in people, knowledge, and opportunity. For more than four decades, the Saudi Fund for Development has worked alongside Sri Lanka to support projects that improve lives and contribute to sustainable development. This faculty reflects the strong partnership between our two countries.”
Since 1981, the Saudi Fund for Development has financed projects in Sri Lanka across sectors, including education, healthcare, water, transport, and energy.
The Fund has provided approximately $422.7 million through 15 development loans supporting 12 development projects, contributing to infrastructure development and public services across the country.
