July 03, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva has decided to take the assistance of Sri Lanka Army nurses to maintain the daily activities of the country's only oncology institution, the Cancer Hospital in Maharagama.

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said this would be a certain alternative available for him if the nurses in the Cancer Hospital decide to carry on their union action further.

The nurses of the Cancer Hospital in Maharagama have withdrawn from providing chemotherapy for the resident patients from last Monday.

According to the media spokesperson for the Joint Union for Nurses, Uditha Wanigasekara, they are providing chemotherapy only to the outpatients and children.

The entire nursing staff in the Cancer Hospital are demanding an interim allowance, more secure medical instruments as well as special training for the nurses.