Biyagama food poisoning:

Many employees discharged

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Most of the employees who were hospitalized with diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting after consuming a special meal provided by a Free Trade Zone company in Biyagama , have been discharged following treatment, hospital sources said.

More than 170 persons were admitted to hospitals in Biyagama, Gampaha, Colombo and Dompe following bouts of diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting after having a portion of a meal of a Chicken Kottu prepared by the company's catering service for their lunch.

Medical Officer In Charge of Biyagama Government Hospital Dr. Manel Swarna Edirisinghe said, of the 78 patients who were admitted to Biyagama Hospital, 37 were discharged by evening Tuesday.

Asked about specific causes of the disease, Dr. Edirisinghe said, they treated the patients based on the symptoms. Specific causes are yet to be determined, she said.

"The incident is a case of food poisoning," she said.