The power supply to several sections of the Badulla Teaching Hospital, which was disconnected due to non-payment of outstanding electricity bills, was restored this morning.
The hospital’s electricity bill had exceeded Rs. 70 million, and the hospital management settled Rs. 20 million of the bill.
On account of this, the CEB disconnected the power supply to the nurses’ training centre, doctors’ quarters, and the nurses’ hostel on Thursday morning (Aug. 10).
However, the hospital’s administration has managed to settle Rs. 20 million, and after informing the CEB in writing that the remaining outstanding amount would be settled within one week, the CEB took measures to restore the disconnected power supply at the aforementioned sections of the facility.
The Uva Province coordinator of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Dr. Palitha Rakapaksha, said the doctors and the hospital’s staff members are affected due to the irresponsible management practises of the hospital administration.
Meanwhile, JVP’s former Uva Provincial Council member Samantha Vidyaratne revealed that the Badulla Teaching Hospital’s other bill payments, including its water tariffs amounting to Rs. 9.8 million, have also been defaulted.
It has now been reported that the SJB has agreed to settle the electricity bill at the Badulla hospital.
