Govt. has ordered two separate investigations into the incident

"Twenty six more students fell ill due to a complication caused by vaccination given against Rubella," a statement in the government's official website said.

The president has also called for an investigation into the death of the schoolgirl in Matara and offered Rs. 500,000 as compensation to the family.

Parliament debate

The opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) accused health authorities of distributing nearly expired vaccination to avoid audit enquiries.

In a statement to the parliament, JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanakyake called for an explanation from the education minister, Susil Premajayanth.

	Opposition accused the Govt. of destributing expired vaccinations

The main opposition, United National Party, called on the authorities to take immediate action considering the incident as a 'national issue'.

UNP parliamentarian DR. Jayalath Jayawardene, a medical doctor himself, said the health ministry should take the responsibility for distributing expired vaccinations.

Health minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told the parliament on Friday that he has sent a special team to Matara to find out scientific reasons for the incident.

"In addition, I have also requested WHO to investigate the incident and send me a report," he said.

The minister pledged to take action against anybody found responsible for the supply of defective medicine causing the death of a child.