Suspected diarrhoea shuts Buddhasravaka Bhikshu University temporarily

CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE

Buddhasravaka Bhikshu University in Anuradhapura was reportedly closed from yesterday until May 27. The sources at the University said the University administration decided to temporarily close the University due to a contagious disease.

Asked about the disease, an administrator said the University was closed as an infection control measure to prevent the spread of diarrhoea. He said 34 student monks have fallen ill with diarrhoea.

Contacted by the Daily News , Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit Director Dr Sudath Peiris said, they have not been informed about such a situation by the University administration.

When asked Anuradhapura General Hospital Director Dr W Athapattu, if they had treated any students of the Buddhasravaka Bhikshu University with diarrhoea at the hospital, Dr Athapattu said he was not aware if they had treated Buddhist monks who are from the University. "We treated diarrhoea patients as usual," he said.

He also said, he was not aware that the Buddhasravaka Bhikshu University was closed due to the spread of diarrhea.

Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayaka said, he has not been informed that the University was closed due to a contagious disease.