Emergency Ambulance Service Name Change Sparks Controversy 🚨

• Sri Lanka's highly-acclaimed pre-hospital, emergency ambulance service, Suwa Seriya (1990), has been clandestinely renamed to the "Sri Lanka Emergency Medical Service" (SLEMS), as noted in a recent advertisement for the CEO post. • The service is internationally acknowledged for its effectiveness and speed. It was recently lauded by the World Bank (WB) as one of the most advanced and efficient worldwide, significantly bolstering the nation's healthcare system. • Suwa Seriya is synonymous with its founder, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. The highly successful project was launched in 2016 (starting with 88 ambulances in two provinces) and was funded by the Indian Government. • Critics argue the name change defies logic, involves considerable taxpayer money for potential re-colouring/logo changes, and appears to be a politically motivated attempt to remove the founder’s association.