News

Western Hospital’s Prof. Rezvi to be arrested?

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2022

editor

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) is investigating to arrest a group of staff members of the Western Hospital, Borella including its Director – Prof. Rezvi Sheriff in connection with the alleged kidney transplant racket, ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ learns.

They are to be arrested since the hospital has violated an order given by the Colombo Chief Magistrate to hand over the original copies of the folders and documents containing the details of the transplant recipients and the donors to the CCD.

Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Dileepa Peiris informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate that people who are said to have been tricked into donating kidneys have not been briefed on post-surgery complications.

He told the court that those behind this racket have targeted the people from low-income families by only telling them about the large amount of money they will receive in return for donating a kidney.

Also, the SDSG informed the court that this fraud has been committed with the full knowledge of the doctors, staff and administrators of the Western Hospital.

He revealed that these kidneys have been obtained by employing brokers who promise to pay the donors from Rs. 05 million – 12 million for a kidney, and the kidneys have been given to both local and foreign patients.

During the period from August 03 – November 03, kidneys have been obtained from 06 people (including from one female) aged between 30-42 years. However, they have gone to the hospital on the 17th, demanding their promised payment, the SDSG said.

Subsequently, the group had been escorted near the All Saints’ Church in Borella and a chief inspector of police had given Rs. 200,000 to each of them. It is learnt that he had forced the victims to sign affidavits saying they will not go to the hospital to demand money again and threatened to break their limbs if they did so.

The SDSG and CCD Director Neville Silva informed the court that a special investigation has been launched into the police officer who appeared in defence of the hospital while in police uniform.

It has now been revealed that one of the kidneys donated by the 06 donors who had complained to the police over the non-payment of money, was donated to be transplanted to the hospital director himself.

The complainant has been promised Rs.9.5 million, but is yet to receive it so far.

Mr. Peiris pointed out that in addition to the aforementioned kidney removal surgeries performed on the 06 individuals, 52 kidney removal and transplant surgeries have been performed at that private hospital this year alone.

Lawsuit against Hemas..?
Meanwhile, a group of people who have become victims of the alleged kidney trafficking at Hemas, Nawaloka, Lanka and Western Hospitals as revealed by Indian security forces, are making arrangements to seek legal redress against these hospitals, Indian media reported.

News

“230 rehab centers island-wide tackle drug addiction”

Published

2 hours ago

April 28, 2024

editor

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board says that 230 rehabilitation centers have been established to treat drug addicts in the country.

Its Chairman Attorney Shakya Nanayakkara says that the services of these rehabilitation centers will commence from the 7th of May.

The centers can accomodate up to 20,000 patients.

(newsfirst.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsfirst.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Basil meets Indian High Commissioner

Published

23 hours ago

April 27, 2024

editor

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa met Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha yesterday (27) and discussed.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka conveyed a X message regarding the meeting, highlighting discussions on matters of mutual interest, including the political situation.

This meeting between Basil and the Indian High Commissioner occurred after his departure from the position of National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, adding a significant dimension to the encounter.

Before Basil met the Indian High Commissioner, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also met earlier this week.

In a separate development, the Indian High Commissioner also held a meeting with Minister of Power and Energy, Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera.

The Indian High Commission issued a statement regarding this meeting as well, although specific details were not provided.

News

Sri Lanka allows German research vessel’s port call amidst diplomatic clarification

Published

23 hours ago

April 27, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka has allowed a German research vessel for replenishment in Colombo port for the second time following the clarification from the island nation’s Foreign Ministry after Chinese protest.

“It’s the same German research vessel came last month. It came around New Year time when it was returning and the ship was allowed,” a top Foreign Ministry official told Economy Next referring to Sri Lanka’s traditional New Year celebrated on April 14.

Another Foreign Ministry official confirmed the German research vessel’s Colombo port call.

The Foreign Ministry last month clarified a confusion related to ban on foreign research vessels.

It said Sri Lanka will allow offshore research ships for replenishment at the island nation ports despite the one-year ban on such vessels.

The clarification came after strong protest by China over Sri Lanka allowing the same German research vessel last month.

Chinese Embassy in Colombo raised strong protest against the move to allow a German research vessel early in March following the island nation’s authorities turned down a Beijing request for a research vessel in February.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government has temporarily halted foreign research ships after strong security concerns raised by neighbour India and the United States following the visit of two Chinese research vessels in 14 months.

When the ban was announced, the government failed to specifically reveal its stance on requests for replenishment or crew change for foreign research vessels.

Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing a SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) for handling foreign research vessels and to improve the capacity of relevant officials in handling foreign research ships.

Two Chinese research ships were allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports within 14 months through November 2023 with one called for replenishment and the other for research.

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 arrived in Sri Lanka in October 2023 and docked in Colombo port, for what Beijing citing was for “geophysical scientific research” in collaboration with the island nation’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

In August 2022, Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka for replenishment.

Both drew strong Indian protests citing security concerns in the Indian Ocean.

India uses the Colombo port as its main transshipment hub and accounts for around 70 percent of the total transshipment volume of the port.

(economynext.com)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by economynext.com has not been edited by SLM staff)