Sri Lanka’s parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises has questioned the replacement of stolen copper components in KDU Hospital’s lightning protection system after officials disclosed losses exceeding Rs. 8.4 million and discrepancies in records of recovered materials.
The findings were disclosed in a parliamentary statement published on October 29 following a committee meeting held on October 21.
According to Parliament, 2,199 metres of copper strips were stolen from the lightning protection system at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital during 2022 and 2023.
The reported financial loss amounts to Rs. 8,442,091.
The committee, chaired by Member of Parliament Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, examined the university’s Auditor General reports for 2023 and 2024 and questioned its management about current operations.
Recovered copper quantities questioned
Parliament reported that a civilian contract worker and a member of the Navy had been arrested and produced before court in connection with the thefts.
The committee examined differences between the total quantity reported stolen and the amount recovered by police.
Members also questioned inconsistencies in measurements recorded in documents relating to materials produced as court evidence.
The parliamentary announcement does not disclose the quantity recovered by police or explain the differences identified in the records.
It also does not report a final judicial determination concerning the individuals arrested.
Aluminium used to restore lightning protection system
The committee questioned the decision to use aluminium wires instead of copper when restoring the hospital’s lightning protection system.
Members sought clarification about the technical standards applied during the repairs and whether the restored system met the necessary safety requirements.
The published parliamentary record does not include an engineering assessment of the replacement installation.
The use of aluminium alone does not establish that a lightning protection system is unsafe. Its suitability depends on the system’s design, specifications, connections and applicable technical standards.
The committee’s questions concern whether those requirements were properly considered and documented.
2,199 metres: Copper strips reported stolen from the hospital’s lightning protection system.
Rs. 8,442,091: Reported financial loss.
2022–2023: Period during which the thefts occurred.
More than 800 beds: Hospital capacity identified during the committee examination.
Hospital facilities remain underused
The committee also examined the utilisation of wards, operating theatres and intensive care units at KDU Hospital.
Parliament said the hospital has capacity for more than 800 beds, but certain facilities remain underutilised.
Shortages of medical officers and other staff were among the problems discussed.
The announcement does not provide current occupancy figures, the number of operational beds or the proportion of operating theatre capacity being used.
Without those figures, the extent of unused hospital capacity cannot be calculated from the published statement.
Committee calls for decision on hospital operating model
COPE instructed the hospital’s administrative authorities to determine whether the institution should operate under a government hospital model or a private hospital model.
The committee called for a decision to be made promptly and for the necessary administrative measures to follow.
Members also examined foreign loans obtained for the hospital’s construction and the repayment obligations associated with those loans.
Other matters included delays in constructing an auditorium and financial controls at CUE Technologies Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a company affiliated with the university.
The committee called for amendments to the existing University Act to address weaknesses in governance and administration.
The parliamentary statement does not specify when those amendments will be introduced or when the hospital’s operating model will be settled.
Asset records and maintenance responsibilities examined
COPE identified weaknesses in the hospital’s asset management system.
According to Parliament, proper records of assets and their quantities had not been maintained since the hospital began operations.
Responsibilities for electrical and lightning protection systems had also not been adequately assigned to officers.
The committee raised concerns about the failure to conduct scheduled maintenance inspections.
These findings formed part of the broader examination of financial and administrative controls at the university.
The October 29 announcement confirms the committee’s findings and instructions. It does not provide a timetable for completing the outstanding technical assessments or recovering the reported financial loss.
Parliament of Sri Lanka, COPE Examination of KDU Hospital, 29 October 2026
