KDU hospital a burden to Treasury, Govt committee identifies

• Sri Jayawardenepura hospital not managed viably 
• Private partnership sought for Paddy Marketing Board 

By Kelum Bandara   

Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital which is commonly known as the KDU hospital has been identified as a burden to the Treasury because it does not generate profits, according to a top level committee.   

The committee appointed by the government to review the role of 160 state institutions and recommend steps on their future has identified this hospital as a burden. It recommends the government to take steps for its financial sustainability.   

The hospital was opened on May 21, 2017.   

The hospital is situated in Werahara and houses 70 ICU/ HDU beds, a cardiac catheterization laboratory, oncology unit and 20 modular theatres, among them a unique hybrid theatre, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, according to the hospital website.   

Besides , the committee ,in its report which Daily Mirror has seen, says the management model of Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital is not viable. The committee says the hospital should be run commercially .   

The committee has recommended the liquidation of a dozen of state institutions including Sri Lanka Mahaweli Development Authority.   It has proposed private public partnership for the operation of Paddy Marketing Board and National Film Corporation.