Around 45 students in Sri Lanka's North Central Province were hospitalized on Wednesday after suffering from food poisoning, a police spokesman said.

The incident occurred following a meal served during a Children's Day program held at a school earlier in the day, said police spokesman F.U. Wootler.

He said parents have rushed their children to a regional hospital for treatment, adding that several students remain under medical care, while others have been discharged after receiving treatment.

Local police have launched an investigation into the incident.

XINHUA