The main seven-storey building of the Negombo General Hospital, built in 2000, had been evacuated following a warning by the Moratuwa University found that the building may collapse soon, A media release of the Health Ministry said.

The building, which houses the emergency unit, mental health unit and the OPD along with several other departments, had been cleared.

Patients would be temporarily housed in other buildings at the hospital, it said.

“The OPD will function in another building in the premises but other units will be transferred to hospitals in the vicinity.

At least 15,000 patients were at the building, which was constructed in 2000.  

Health Ministry officials and the researchers of the Moratuwa University, studying the structure of the buildings, warned the building could collapse soon.  

The release said ambulances had been arranged for critical patients to be taken to Gampaha Hospital while staffs have been provided with temporary housing facilities in the vicinity.

“The Health Ministry had also allocated Rs. 7 million to renovate old buildings inside the premises.  Heath Minister Rajitha Senaratnehad instructed Director General Dr. Maheepala Herath of the Health Ministry over the situation,” it said.(DS)