The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has assured that the power supply will not be disconnected for the next two months for hospitals under the purview of the Health Ministry, Additional Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Saman Ratnayake said.

Dr. Ratnayake stated that the CEB has provided a letter affirming the assurance after an agreement was reached during a discussion between the Health Minister and Chairman of the CEB.

Addressing a media briefing in Kandy on Thursday, Dr. Ratnayake stated that the Treasury has allocated Rs. 120 million for the Health Ministry to settle the outstanding electricity bills of the Colombo National Hospital. 

The Health Ministry was unable to settle the electricity bills of state hospitals over the last four to five months.

However, after promising to settle the outstanding bills within the next two months, the CEB agreed not to disconnect the power supply to the state hospitals, he said.

Dr. Saman Ratnayake further said the Treasury has issued a letter agreeing to settle the outstanding CEB bills within the next two months and to release funds to ensure that the electricity bills are settled every month.