Chinese experts to assist probe into Polonnaruwa hospital explosion
COLOMBO ‒ Sri Lanka is seeking technical expertise from China to assist state authorities investigating the explosion and subsequent fire at the Polonnaruwa National Nephrology Specialized Hospital over the weekend.
Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said formal arrangements are underway to bring the specialist team to Sri Lanka and that government officials were actively liaising with the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to brief the Chinese Government on the specifics of the incident.
In addition to law enforcement and local forensics inquiries, Minister of Health Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has ordered a separate, ministry-level probe to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast.
The explosion occurred at around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday (26) in the hospital’s main kitchen and caused extensive damage to the kitchen and several adjoining buildings. Police have suspected that a gas leak may have caused the explosion, but investigations are continuing to establish the exact cause.
Seven hospital employees sustained injuries during the incident and were immediately transferred to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital. One victim, identified as 36-year-old healthcare assistant Asela Chanaka Wijetunga of Habarana, later succumbed to his injuries while receiving intensive care. The remaining injured staff members continue to undergo medical treatment.
Two police teams have been assigned to investigate the incident, while the Government Analyst’s Department has also commenced investigations. A five-member internal committee has been appointed by the hospital to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Several patients receiving treatment at the hospital were also transferred to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital following the incident.
–ENCL
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