Two newly established Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories and the renovated Cardiology Day Case Unit at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka will be officially opened for patient care services tomorrow (July 2).

According to the Ministry of Health, the new and renovated facilities will be declared open at 3.00 pm tomorrow under the patronage of Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa.

The facilities form part of a wider programme to enhance diagnostic and treatment services in the country’s health system, implemented under Dr. Jayatissa’s guidance. 

The Cath Lab complex and upgraded day case unit have been established through the Health System Enhancement Project funded by the Asian Development Bank.

This week marks a significant expansion of cardiac care capacity, with four state‑of‑the‑art Cath Labs being added to the government hospital network. 

The Jaffna Teaching Hospital unit was opened on June 27, while the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, began patient services on June 30.

Equipped with artificial intelligence‑based real‑time imaging technology, the new catheterisation systems enable high‑quality imaging while reducing radiation exposure during fluoroscopy procedures. 

The Health Ministry says the expansion will help reduce waiting lists and provide faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment for patients with heart and vascular diseases. (Newswire)

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A massive 16‑storey Heart Treatment Centre with advanced facilities will be established within the premises of the Sri Lanka National Hospital this year at a cost of Rs. 12,000 million, Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa announced. 

He said that construction is scheduled to begin this year and is expected to be completed within three years.

The Minister made the announcement while attending the occasion of Specialist Dr. M.K. Sampath Indika Kumara assuming duties as Deputy Director General of the National Hospital.

The Health Minister further said that the responsibility of bringing the new Heart Treatment Centre to construction and operational level will be a special duty entrusted to the new hospital director.

Nalinda Jayatissa went on to note that discussions had been held regarding the commencement of a Stroke Unit, with the possibility of establishing such a facility within the hospital premises now under consideration.

Emphasizing the hospital’s future, the Minister said the National Hospital of Sri Lanka should become the foremost hospital in Asia by further developing its existing facilities, and that a capable leader has now been appointed to provide leadership for this goal. (Newswire)

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The National Hospital in Galle has refuted media reports citing Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s claims of a stent shortage at the facility.

Issuing a statement, the Hospital said stenting and angiograms for cardiac patients are continuing as normal, with adequate stocks of pre‑dilatation and post‑dilatation balloons available.

The Ministry of Health has supplied a new Angiogram machine, which is currently being installed. In addition, the Cancer Unit will be equipped this year with a Linear Accelerator, a Brachytherapy machine, a Mammogram machine, and a CT Scanner.

The Hospital further noted that steps are underway to procure a second MRI scanner and a DSA machine to strengthen stroke diagnosis in the Southern Province.

Providing these details, the Hospital stated that the claims in recent media reports were made without formal inquiries from the institution. (Newswire)

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An advanced MRI machine equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has been installed at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka for the first time in a government hospital, the Health Ministry said.

The machine, valued at over Rs. 450 million, was officially added to patient care services this afternoon (09) under the patronage of Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Health Ministry said the state-of-the-art MRI scanner has been installed to improve treatment services at the hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit and the Neurosurgery Unit.

Authorities noted that the three existing MRI scanners at the hospital had frequently become inoperative in recent years, causing difficulties for patients seeking diagnostic services.

Following the new government taking office, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni directed officials to review the situation and take steps to ensure the machines remained operational.

As a result, the three existing MRI scanners at the National Hospital are now functioning, with the newly installed AI-enabled MRI machine further strengthening diagnostic capacity at the hospital. (Newswire)

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The duties of Dr. Rukshan Bellana, who was serving as the Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital, have been suspended.

The decision had been communicated via a letter issued under the letterhead of the Ministry of Health, dated 18 December 2025.

According to the letter, preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, had made statements to the media without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.

The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter. (Newswire)

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Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, says specialist doctors have recommended that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe should continue receiving treatment in the intensive care unit for at least another day or two.

Addressing the media today, Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that the recommendation was made after the specialist doctors had examined the former President today. 

Dr. Rukshan Bellana pointed out that Ranil Wickremesinghe is no longer a detainee in prison custody, which means he now has full freedom to meet with his own doctor. 

“We don’t know whether that doctor is from the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, from another country, or from the private sector. However, he can now be referred to that doctor through the National Hospital. Beyond that, the National Hospital only provides emergency care. This isn’t something organized separately; it’s based on the referral from the prison hospital,” he said.

Providing details on the former President’s health conditions, Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that three out of the four coronary arteries in Ranil Wickremesinghe’s heart are blocked. 

“This was revealed in yesterday’s specialist report. He will likely need further treatment, possibly surgery. That surgery isn’t an emergency right now. But ideally, it should be done soon for his own good. Otherwise, there could be risks. It’s best to proceed quickly to avoid those risks,” he said. 

Dr. Rukshan Bellana further said that as the former President has been granted bail, he has full freedom to seek treatment at another hospital, even a private one. 

He clarified that Ranil Wickremesinghe suffers from non-communicable diseases, and with this opportunity, he has been granted a new lease on life.  

“One only needs brains to rule the country. Ranil Wickremesinghe suffers from non-communicable diseases. He should be thankful to those who created this opportunity. With the necessary treatment, he will receive a new lease on life and can be youthful again,” he said, in response to questions by journalists about whether the former President had governed the country amid such health conditions. (Newswire)

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has raided shops around the Colombo National Hospital, found to be operating in violation of the consumer law. 

According to the CAA, the shops were found to be selling goods at high prices and without displaying prices.

The raids were conducted recently (10 May), based on a tip-off, while the CAA has initiated action against those violating the laws. (Newswire)

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Over 80 persons have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with injuries sustained from various accidents in the last 24 hours, it was reported.

According to hospital sources, 30 people, among them, have sustained injuries due to road accidents. 

One person has been injured in an accident related to fireworks. 

According to a hospital spokesman, such accidents during the festive season could be prevented if the public acted with more care.

The spokesman further requested the public to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol. (Newswire)

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