Chilaw General Hospital has been temporarily closed due to severe flooding that has submerged the premises under more than five feet of water, Hospital Director Dr. Sumith Attanayake confirmed.

Critically ill patients have been airlifted to Colombo and Puttalam hospitals by the Sri Lanka Air Force, while others were transferred to Wariyapola and Kurunegala as waters began to recede.

The hospital’s CT scanner and several wards have been damaged, creating major operational challenges.

Dr. Attanayake said the hospital will reopen only after restoration work is completed and urged the public not to bring patients to the facility until further notice.