Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-01-14

Taking over of the District General Hospital of Negombo by the Central Government

- The District General Hospital of Negombo which is situated in a strategic position being close to the Colombo - Katunayake expressway, the Bandaranayake International Airport and the Free Trade Zone of Katunayake provides its services to the hospitals of its catchment area as well as referral hospitals situated around it. Further, the hospital also provides its services to transit passengers, as well as the flight crews and also for tourists arriving at the airport. The Dengue Management Centre of this Hospital is known as the best centre for clinical management of dengue and dengue haemorragic fever. It has been identified that it would be appropriate for this hospital to function under the direct supervision of the Line Ministry in order to further strengthen its existing services. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Healthcare and Indigenous Medical Services to take over the said Hospital presently under the administration of the Provincial Health Ministry of the Western Province, by the Central Government, was approved by the Cabinet.