A major fire that erupted at the medical storage complex of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in the early hours of Saturday has destroyed a large quantity of medicines and caused extensive property damage, with authorities estimating losses worth several million rupees.
The blaze broke out at the hospital’s medicine storage facility during the early hours of 9 May and rapidly spread through the building. Hospital staff initially attempted to contain the flames before firefighters from the Jaffna Municipal Council, alongside personnel from the Sri Lankan military, air force, police, and electricity board, joined efforts to battle the fire.
Officials said it took nearly five hours to bring the blaze under control. Authorities suspect the fire spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials, including acids and medical chemicals stored within the facility. A large quantity of medicines, including cancer treatment drugs and surgical supplies, were reportedly destroyed in the fire, while the building itself sustained severe damage.
Initial investigations suggest an electrical leak linked to a recently installed refrigerated “cool room” used for medicine storage may have triggered the fire. However, further forensic investigations are expected before a final determination is made. Police have launched an inquiry, while officers from the Government Analyst’s Department are expected to arrive from Colombo on Monday to conduct additional examinations.
Following the incident, emergency cleaning operations were launched at the damaged storage site, while remaining medical supplies were secured under police protection pending forensic inspections.
Former Deputy Director of the hospital and Jaffna District parliamentarian S. Sribhavanandarajah stated that more than 60 percent of the medicines stored inside the warehouse had been destroyed. He added that emergency stocks currently available within the hospital pharmacy would be used to maintain services temporarily, while additional medicines are being sourced from hospitals in Vavuniya and Anuradhapura as well as from Colombo.
Dr Sathiyamoorthy and Dr Sribhavanandarajah at the scene
He said the emergency arrangements were expected to ensure uninterrupted medicine distribution for inpatients and outpatients over the coming days.
Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayahan visited the hospital early morning on Saturday to inspect the damaged facility and receive updates from Hospital Director Dr. Sathiyamoorthy.
Dr Sathiyamoorthy explaining the situation to Northern province govnor N Vethanayaham
Authorities said the final cause of the fire would only be confirmed after the Government Analyst’s Department completes its investigations.
Jaffna Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Sathiyamoorthy meanwhile assured the public that measures had already been taken to prevent disruptions to patient care. He stated that discussions had been held with the Health Ministry Secretary and the Director General of Health Services to arrange urgent supplies of medicines from Colombo as well as nearby hospitals. “General public can continue to receive medicines as usual" he said, adding that emergency distribution mechanisms had already been put in place following the destruction caused by the fire.