Decision to suspend all routine surgeries at Peradeniya Hospital reversed

The decision to temporarily halt all routine surgeries at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital has been reversed following an assurance made by the Medical Supplies Division to supply necessary drugs and consumable items. 

In a communiqué issued yesterday, Director of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Dr Arjuna Thilakarathna had notified that all routine surgeries at the hospital (including surgeries of patients already admitted) have been suspended until further notice due to a shortage of essential drugs and consumable items. 

The news even drew the attention of visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. "Disturbed to see this news. Am asking High Commission Baglay to contact and discuss how India can help," he tweeted. 

"High Commission contacted Prof. Lamawansa, Hon. VC and the Dean of Medical Faculty of Peradeniya University and requested to know their requirements for medicines to continue regular and scheduled surgeries," the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka stated in a subsequent tweet. 

However, a short while later, Dr Thilakarathna announced that the Health Ministry's Medical Supplies Division had assured that it will ensure the supply of essential drugs and consumable items and as such, the decision to suspend routine surgeries has been reversed.