CMC raids seven eateries near National Hospital

Seven eateries at the Punchi Borella Junction in close proximity to the National Hospital were raided by the Colombo Municipality Council’s Health Department officials on Wednesday.

Cinnamon Gardens and Borella area Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr. Subash Mendis said the owners of all seven eateries were produced in courts as they have maintained the eateries violating food safety regulations.

Two eateries had been shut down until the owners take measures to improve the conditions of the eateries.

Dr. Mendis said all the eateries were unhygienic and poorly maintained. “The kitchen floors were infested with crawling worms and rats. Most of the eateries had bought rotten fish which was unsuitable for human consumption and fried them right away,” he said.

He said this was a serious issue, especially since most of the people visiting patients at the National Hospital tend to buy food from these eateries.

The raid was conducted by Dr. Mendis with the assistance of Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) P. K. Subarathne, S. R. Bandara, D. Sumithraarachchi and Food Inspector Wickremaratne under the instructions of Municipal Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni.

Dr. Mendis said CMO Dr. Wijayamuni had instructed health officers to conduct inspections of eateries and restaurants every Wednesday.

Accordingly, another raid was carried out in Wellawatta by Dr. Sriprathapan with the assistance of PHIs Mindika, Eranda and Vanderslot where the owners of two eateries had been taken to courts. (Lahiru Pothmulla)