Nov 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena says the government hospitals from next year will issue a bill of expenses for the free treatment the patients receive at the time of their discharge.

The patients visiting the Outdoor Patients' Department will also be issued a bill stating the expenses but no charge is levied.

The Minister stressed that this is not a move to destroy free healthcare but to educate the public and the hospital staff regarding the expenses born by the government for healthcare of the people in view of strengthening the healthcare.

The Minister said the government is spending Rs. 110 billion of local funds for healthcare this year.

The Health Ministry is receiving foreign donations worth around Rs. nine billion this year, the Minister says.