The Name Remains. The Hospital Opens Again
The Dr. Neville Fernando Memorial Air Force Hospital in Malabe was ceremonially reopened on 9 November 2026, marking a fresh stage in the hospital’s operations under the management of Sky Care Hospital Management Ltd. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest.
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) attended as Guests of Honour.
The operational management of the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital was handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force following a Cabinet decision taken in February 2026.
During the ceremony, the Chief Guest unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the reopening of the hospital. He subsequently toured the premises accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary, inspecting the medical facilities and infrastructure available at the hospital.
Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, Member of Parliament Asitha Niroshana, the Commander of the Air Force, senior officials of the Ministries of Defence and Health and Mass Media, senior Air Force officers, Mrs. Neville Fernando and members of the hospital staff were also present at the occasion.
