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Ignorance of free health care available in SL may have cost two tourist lives

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/9

Thilina Walpola

Ebony McIntosh

Lack of medical insurance deterred victims seeking early medical help

By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva

The tragic deaths of two young foreign tourists in Colombo could have been avoided had the tourists known they could access free emergency medical care in Sri Lanka’s government hospitals, tourism industry and hospital sources said.

Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), expressed regret over the tragic incident, emphasizing that tourists are regularly informed about their eligibility for free medical care. However, he acknowledged that this message may not have reached all visitors, leading to a delay in medical attention that worsened their condition.

The victims, a 24-year-old British woman, Ebony McIntosh, and 26-year-old German national, Nadine Raguse, both died after falling seriously ill during their stay at the Miracle Colombo City Hostel in Wellawatte, raising questions about the role of toxic chemicals in their deaths.

McIntosh and Raguse, who were staying at the hostel, exhibited symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing, and were only hospitalized after their conditions worsened over a two-day period.

Doctors said that if the tourists had sought medical help earlier, their chances of survival would have been much higher. The two women, along with their two German male friends, had reportedly refrained from seeking medical treatment due to the lack of medical insurance, unaware that Sri Lankan hospitals offer free care to all visitors, including foreigners.

The situation has sparked outrage, with experts describing the lack of communication as “criminal negligence.” Had the tourists been aware of their right to receive medical care at any of the 555 government hospitals nationwide, this tragedy could have been avoided, they argued. The hostel where the tourists stayed is located just 2.5 kilometers away from Colombo’s General Hospital, further highlighting the preventable nature of the deaths.

Police investigations into the incident suggest that toxic fumigation chemicals used to rid the hostel of bedbugs may have played a role in the women’s deaths. The room adjacent to theirs was fumigated with Phosphine gas on Jan 30, and police are probing whether the exposure contributed to their symptoms. The hostel has been closed pending further investigation, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted on McIntosh after her family arrives in Sri Lanka.

Hewawasam assured the public that steps would be taken to increase awareness of this critical information, particularly for those in emergency situations.

UK media said that the deaths of McIntosh and Raguse have left their families devastated. Tributes have poured in for McIntosh, described as a kind, funny, and determined person with big dreams. Her younger sister, India, wrote an emotional message on social media, expressing her heartbreak and vowing to seek justice for her sister. McIntosh’s family has also launched a fundraising campaign to bring her body back to the UK.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed that they are providing support to the McIntosh family and are in contact with local authorities regarding the investigation.

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]