Factory employees hit by food poisoning

Rafik JALALDEEN

At least 70 employees of a garment factory were hospitalized following food poisoning on Sunday. Of them, 17 are still undergoing treatment at the Gampaha District General Hospital. The rest were discharged after the treatment.

Gampaha District General hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Dhammika Mayadunna said the employees of the garment factory in Yakkala who had gone on a trip to Trincomalee on Saturday had reported of food poisoning after consuming food from a restaurant in Nilaveli.

While returning from the trip they were complaining of stomachache. Initially 53 patients were admitted to hospital with signs and symptoms of food poisoning on Sunday. Another 17 were admitted on Monday with the same problem. It was confirmed that they were suffering from food poisoning due to the food taken during the trip," Dr. Mayadunna told the Daily News.

He said most of the patients had been discharged. "Around 17 patients are still being treated at the hospital and the rest were discharged," he added.