Radioactive waste near Cancer Hospital:

Report on survey to experts panel

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The report on the survey conducted by the Sri Jayawardenepura University on the impact of radioactive waste in the vicinity of the Cancer Hospital will be submitted to a panel of experts for further studies and investigations, Health Ministry Media Spokesman W.M.D.Vanninayake said.

According to Vanninayake, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena ordered health officials to hand over the report to a panel of experts and ordered hospital authorities to dump radioactive waste without causing any health hazards to the people around the hospital.

The main objective of further studies and investigations is finding out whether there is a direct and obvious impact on the vicinity caused by the radioactive waste dumped by the Maharagama National Cancer institute, he said.

A report on a survey conducted by the Jayawardenepura University claimed that 47 out of 96 deaths that occurred at Godigamuwa during last five years were due to cancer.

The village is located near the waste dump of the Maharagama Cancer Institute. This waste dump has been in existence during past five years, he added.