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Food poisoning symptoms in three schools:
One dead, 62 children hospitalised
Indika POLKOTUWA
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Kavishka Dhanajani |
A school girl died and 62 other schoolchildren belonging to the
primary sections of three schools in the Matale Education Zone were
admitted to the Matale Base Hospital with symptoms of food poisoning
after they consumed the noon meal provided by the schools on Thursday.
The three schools are Buddhaghosha Vidyalaya, Kavatayamuna Maha
Vidyalaya and Dombawela Sri Rahula Vidyalaya in Matale.
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Some of the children in hospital. Pictures by Matale Group
Corr Daya Abeyweera |
The deceased school girl was identified as Kavishka Dhanajani Gamage
(10) of Buddhaghosha Vidyalaya. A spokesman for the Matale Zonal
Education Office said noon meals are supplied to students in 92 schools
in the Matale District under the student noon meals program.
Meals for children in the three affected schools are provided by a
single supporter.
The meal provided to them on Thursday included noodles and eggs.
Medical Superintendent at the Matale Base Hospital Dr. W.S.
Kumarawansa said the students admitted to hospital had symptoms of
fever, vomiting, headache and diarrhoea. Student Dhananjani Gamage was
pronounced dead on admission.
The majority of students admitted to hospital are girls. Meanwhile,
Central Province Chief Minister and Education Minister Sarath Ekanayake
has directed Provincial Education authorities to cancel the contract of
the food supplier immediately and conduct a thorough investigation into
the incident. |
