Oct 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena said President Mahinda Rajapaksa will hand over appointments to 5,000 employees in the health sector at a special function to be held in Temple Trees on November 05.

The Minister said that the approval had been granted to make these appointments to strengthen the health sector.

Of the employees appointed, 4,000 are casual and temporary employees that will be confirmed permanent. Another 1,000 will be newly recruited as paramedics.

The Ministry will also recruit 70 pharmacists, 24 physiotherapists, 6 professional therapists, 24 medical laboratory technicians, 438 family health officers and 54 trainee family health officers, according to the Minister.