India has requested the Sri Lankan  government to take over the Indian hospital at Cheddikulam,Vavuniya that was established six months ago to meet the needs of  internally displaced persons, as it has successfully completed its mission

 Indian High Commissioner in Colombo,Alok Prasad, in a letter addressed to Health and Nutrition Minister,Nimal Siripala De Silva said "Since most of the emergency needs of the new arrivals in Menik Farms have now been met, it is our intention to withdraw the Indian medical team and close down the hospital with effect from 31 August 2009. Since a very  useful facility has been set up and the physical infrastructure of the hospital will remain in place, you may  like to consider that the hospital may be taken over by the Ministry of Health on August 31,2009."

 Prasad, has also thanked the Health Ministry for the cooperation extended to the Indian medical team and added that the Indian medical team would be leaving after a stay of over  six months in Sri Lanka, having provided excellent services to the full satisfaction of both governments.

The Indian medical team arrived in Sri Lanka on March 10, 2009 and set up a hospital in Pulmoddai, to receive medical evacuees being brought by ship, under the aegis of  the ICRC.

After the change in conditions, it was agreed by the two Governments that the medical team and the hospital would shift to IDP camps in Menik Farm, to cater to the medical requirements of IDPs who were arriving in large numbers, the Indian High Commissioner recalled.