Minister instructs PS and UDA:

Demolish unauthorized buildings at Hospital

Land and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon has directed the Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to dismantle all unauthorised buildings within the Dambulla Base Hospital grounds.

The Minister issued this directive when he visited the hospital on an inspection tour to look into its needs and shortcomings recently.

The Minister who met the Hospital Committee during the visit said unauthorised structures was an issue which should be nipped in the bud. If not they would later be corrected into permanent buildings with legal status with the connivance of unscrupulous and corrupt officials. He said all steps would be taken to develop the Dambulla hospital into a major health facility to cater to the large number of patients expected with the development of the tourism industry in the adjoining Sigiriya and other areas.

The Minister who noted the lack of space in the OPD, shortage of nurses and the meagre bed capacity in the maternity ward promised to remedy them soon with the help of the authorities. The Minister also thanked the medical staff and the other health staff at the hospital for their dedication towards the treatment of patients visiting the hospital.

Hospital Superintendent Dr Iresha Fernando, Director Greater Dambulla Project H.M. Somaratne, members of the hospital committee and the Chairmen of Dambulla and Galewela Pradeshiya Sabhas were also present.