Contaminated fish is believed to have caused a case of mass food poisoning involving some 270 Army recruits attached to a camp in Dehiattikandiya, in the Ampara district.
Last Wednesday, barely an hour after their breakfast, the recruits complained of nausea, headache and dizziness and were rushed to hospital.
Dr. W. C. K. Weerapana, district medical officer (DMO) for Dehiattakandiya, told The Sunday Times that the cause of the food poisoning could be determined only after lab tests were completed.
Some of the soldiers were quoted as saying they had fallen ill shortly after consuming a morning meal of fish and rice.
According to sources, 65 soldiers who were discharged after initial treatment were rushed back to hospital a short while later after falling sick again. Some 10 soldiers are receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, sources said.
The soldiers are receiving treatment at various hospitals: 157 are warded at the Dehiatthakandiya Hospital; 77 in Polonnaruwa; 26 in Amparai, and another 25 in Mahiyangana. It is not known how soon the patients will be discharged.
The soldiers are attached to the Henanigal North Recruitment Training Camp.
Military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanyakkara, said a thorough investigation had been ordered into the incident, but stopped short of giving details. | 
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