The Colombo National Hospital (CNH) had received Rs. 120 million from the Ministry of Health yesterday (27) to pay its electricity bill which is around Rs.130 million.

The ‘Aruna’ newspaper revealed yesterday that seven hospitals, including the CNH, have outstanding electricity bills amounting to Rs.160 million.

A discussion was held among Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and senior officials of the ministry regarding the situation and it was decided during the meeting to grant funds to settle electricity bills.Dr. Saman Rathnayake, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has given the assurance that the electricity will not be disconnected for the next two months in any hospital.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, he said that this assurance has been given according to an agreement made by the Minister of Health and the Secretary of the Ministry of Health with the CEB Chairman.The CEB earlier decided to cut off power supply to the Colombo National Hospital, the National Dental Hospital, De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, National Eye Hospital, National Institute for Nephrology Dialysis & Transplantation in Maligawatta and Castle Street Hospital for Women for not settling bills worth over Rs.160 million.