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Commissioner General of Motor Traffic resigns

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Commissioner General of Motor Traffic – Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha, has reportedly handed over his letter of resignation to the Secretary of Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation.

Subsequently, a senior official from the Ministry is expected to be appointed as his successor and the relevant Cabinet paper is scheduled to be submitted today (April 21).

This is the latest in a string of top-level resignations under the Ministry following the appointment of Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Earlier, SLTB Chairman Ramal Siriwardena, NTC Chairman – Dr. Bandula Dileepa Vitharana, and NTMI Chairman – Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni also resigned.

With Weerasinghe’s resignation, it is notable that top officials from 04 of the 06 key institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, have resigned recently,

Anuruddha Weerasinghe is credited with elevating the Department of Motor Traffic into one of the top five revenue-generating state institutions through impactful leadership and reforms.

(Source: Aruna)

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Special traffic plan in Colombo as  Bohra conference kicks off

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A special traffic plan will be in place in several areas of Colombo as the Global Bohra Conference and Spiritual Convention kicks off from today (June 25).

The conference, held under the patronage of the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, will be held today as well as from June 27 – July 05.

Police announced that the entry of container trucks and tipper trucks transporting sand will be restricted from 7.00 am – 10.00 pm daily, along the route from Darley Road in Maradana, Gamini Roundabout to D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha.

Additionally, the conference will also take place at the Bora Mosque in Bambalapitiya from 7:00 am – 11.30 am and from 3.00 pm – 10.00 pm from June 27 – July 05.

Entry of container trucks and tipper trucks transporting sand will be restricted on Marine Drive from Wellawatte towards Kollupitiya via Bambalapitiya, and from Kollupitiya towards Wellawatte via Bambalapitiya, police said.

Police further stated that traffic on Glen Arbour Road in Bambalapitiya, within the Bambalapitiya Police Division, will be restricted, and vehicles will be diverted to Marine Drive from Galle Road.

Also, entry into Adamaly Place in Bambalapitiya will be limited to residents.

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Task Force to prevent ragging in universities

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A dedicated task force has been appointed to eliminate ragging and all other forms of violence within universities and higher education institutions in Sri Lanka.

The task force was appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Nalaka Kaluwewa, under the directive of the subject minister, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

According to the Ministry of Education, the eradication of ragging from universities and other higher education institutions is a top priority of the current government.

In addition to addressing ragging, the task force is also mandated to prevent any form of violence perpetrated by students against fellow students, as well as by or against academic staff, non-academic staff, and administrative authorities within these institutions.

The task force comprises 16 members and aims to introduce systemic changes to ensure student safety and institutional accountability.

The Ministry further stated that proposals have already been made to establish institutional-level units under the guidance of this task force in universities and other higher education institutions across the country.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Top neurosurgeon has performed surgeries on brain-dead patients

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During the ongoing corruption case involving Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijerathna, a consultant neurosurgeon at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) told court yesterday that she had allegedly performed surgeries on brain-dead patients.

According to submissions by the Commission, the neurosurgeon had performed surgical procedures such as the insertion of External Ventricular Drains (EVDs) and Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts on patients who had already been medically classified as brain-dead. In some instances, CIABOC alleged, patients had been dead for up to five days with only their heartbeat artificially sustained when the procedures were carried out.

The allegation was made before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga during proceedings in the case where the neurosurgeon, a hospital chief clerk, and a medical equipment supplier stand accused of corruption, abuse of authority, and endangering patient lives.

The Commission stated that the surgeries had no therapeutic value and were allegedly done to generate financial gain through the sale of surgical equipment provided via a private entity linked to the doctor and her husband.

Appearing for the CIABOC, Additional Director of Bribery Commission counsel Sulochani Hettiarachchi told the court:

“This doctor conducted surgeries not on living patients, but on those who were already brain-dead, in some cases for up to five days, solely for the purpose of unjust enrichment. These were not medical interventions, but violations of ethics, law, and humanity.”

The suspects were earlier arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and produced in court on June 17. They are accused of directing hospital patients to external suppliers for essential neurosurgical items such as EVD and VP Shunt, bypassing hospital procurement procedures and causing financial loss to the institution while deriving undue benefits for themselves and third parties.

Investigations further revealed that a private business named MN Medical Centre, registered in 2009, had been jointly operated by the first suspect and an individual named Nigel, who is said to be her husband. The initials “MN” reportedly stand for Maheshika and Nigel. One complainant, Chamara Prasad, had allegedly been offered Rs. 200,000 and assistance in paying his medical bills in an attempt to silence him.

It was also revealed that the third suspect, Indika, had provided patients referred by the doctor with the contact number of the second suspect, Nimal Ranjith, who would then coordinate the sale of medical items through an establishment named Emma Pharma Center. Although the items were never physically delivered to patients, they were provided with billing documents via WhatsApp.

Statements from nursing staff and doctors confirmed that, on some days, the items were brought directly to the ward by the second suspect, and on other occasions by the doctor herself.

The Bribery Commission informed court that approximately 92 complaints have been received to date regarding this doctor, including allegations made via telephone by affected patients.

It was also reported that Nishantha Silva, the grandson of former Minister Colvin R. de Silva, who gave evidence in this case, had received threats in June 2025 as a result of his cooperation.

The Commission argued that granting bail would risk public outrage, as the matter has already attracted wide media and social media coverage.

Appearing for the first suspect, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris argued that the arrest, conducted within hospital premises, had been accompanied by media coverage in a seemingly orchestrated manner. He further contended that there were no valid legal grounds under Section 14 of the Bail Act to justify denial of bail. The defense also noted that many hospitals display notices encouraging patients to obtain advanced medications externally due to shortages within the hospital system.

Pieris told that the investigation has continued for over two years, during which the suspect had never interfered with proceedings. He also claimed that following the suspect’s arrest, two patients undergoing treatment in her ward had passed away.

Appearing for the third suspect, Counsel Anuja Premarathna referred to a televised statement made by Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni on Sirasa TV, in which the Minister claimed that patients obtaining external medicines was not a punishable offence and should be treated as a form of donation. Counsel argued that the prosecution should take such context into consideration.

After considering all submissions, the Chief Magistrate rejected the bail applications and ordered that all three suspects be remanded till July 8.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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