Politics

Surgical services at the District General Hospital in Chilaw have restarted after emergency repairs were completed with the help of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) following Cyclone Ditwah. The quick repair of key parts of the hospital's operating theatre has allowed sterilization procedures and surgeries to resume safely. This means hundreds of patients can continue to receive vital care for mothers and newborns each month, as stated by UNFPA. The severe flooding from Cyclone Ditwah had damaged many health facilities across Sri Lanka, disrupting essential services. The Operating Theatre at Chilaw District General Hospital, which serves thousands of patients and many pregnant women and newborns needing urgent attention, was hit hard. During a visit in December 2025 to check the damage, hospital staff led by Director Dr. Sumith Attanayake stressed the need for quick repairs to the operating theatre. The floodwaters had harmed the wall panels, doors, and other internal structures, putting the sterile environment for surgeries at risk. If repairs were not done quickly, surgeries, including important obstetric and neonatal care, would be delayed, according to the statement. In response to this urgent need, UNFPA quickly provided support as part of its emergency humanitarian efforts to maintain essential health services. Working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, UNFPA helped restore the operating theatre swiftly, allowing the hospital to safely restart sterilization procedures and surgeries. By 30 December 2025, the restoration work was completed, which included replacing and repairing wall panels, fixing doors, locks, and hinges, and renovating internal structures with cladding boards and glass.