May 12, Colombo (LNW): The Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) at Walasmulla Base Hospital suffered severe damage following a lightning strike during heavy rainfall.
The incident occurred last Friday (10), resulting in the destruction of all electrical equipment within the unit and causing a fire that damaged the building.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera conducted an inspection of the hospital yesterday (11) to assess the extent of the damage.
The estimated cost of the damage to the ETU from the lightning strike amounts to approximately Rs. 50 million, the Minister revealed.
Amaraweera discussed the matter with Southern Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena over the phone on the same day (11) and assured that funds would be allocated for the renovation of the Emergency Treatment Unit.
The Governor is scheduled to inspect the hospital today (12).
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the three patients receiving treatment in the unit at the time of the lightning strike.
However, hospital staff informed the Minister that they faced significant challenges in evacuating the patients due to the ensuing fire.
