Sirimavo Bandaranaike hospital fully functional

COLOMBO: Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry in a press communique said the Sirimavo Bandaranaike children Hospital at Peradeniya continues to function effectively as a premier hospital and there were no irregularities in the construction of the hospital.

The communique said the Ministry was disturbed over a news item published in media during the past few days about the non functioning of the hospital.

The Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition is disturbed over news items appearing in both the electronic and print media during the past few days on the alleged non functioning of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Children's Hospital, Peradeniya. The facts given in these news items are totally incorrect and misleading.

The factual position is that after a number of years of in-activity and lethargy, in the year 2004, the Ministry reactivated and kick-started the construction of the hospital and due to these efforts it was possible to commence the hospital activities in November 2005.

The hospital continuous to function effectively as a premier children's hospital and the Ministry wishes to categorically state that there were no irregularities in the construction of this hospital after present administration came in. However, if there were irregularities in the construction and the procurement of equipment previously, such allegations would certainly be examined by a competent team of experts.