News

Western Hospital’s Prof. Rezvi to be arrested?

Published

3 years 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

AG seeks CID probe into social media smear campaign against his staff

Published

52 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a probe following a complaint by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe that his staff have been unduly targeted by false allegations on social media.

The AG’s instruction to the CID came after several of his staff complained to him over the allegation on social media.

Particularly targeted are senior AG’s Department officials awaiting promotions, sources said.

In one of the posts, a senior officer was accused of being supportive of granting bail to Thamil Makkal Viduthal Puligal (TMVP) leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillaiyan, when his fundamental rights application over his arrest was taken up. During the hearing of the FR case, the matter of bail was not even considered, the sources said.

Another allegation was that in a case related to the suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon, the AG prevented a senior officer from representing the department and instead sent a junior officer. However, on the particular day, the senior officer was indisposed, the sources said.

These allegations surface as the AG’s Department has filed more than 600 new indictments in High Courts so far this year, while the Bribery Commission has also referred several bribery and corruption cases to the AG for prosecution.

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

News

19-yr. old dies after falling from elevator

Published

55 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

editor

A 19-year-old youth has died after falling from a service elevator at a hotel in the Pannai area, in the Jaffna Police Division.

According to the police, the incident had occurred last night (June 21) and the deceased has been identified as a resident of Nirveli, Jaffna.

According to investigations, the youth was employed at the hotel and had been using the service elevator -intended for transporting goods.

Further investigations are underway.

This incident follows a similar case recently reported from a hotel in Moratuwa last week.

News

Deputy Foreign Minister addresses 6th CSACF in Kunming

Published

59 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

editor

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra participated at the 9th China-South Asia Exposition and the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (CSACF), held from 18 to 21 June 2025 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. This year’s Exposition held particular significance for Sri Lanka as it was featured as the Theme Country of the exposition.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, Deputy Minister Hemachandra emphasized the importance of regional unity and shared progress, a crucial factor for South Asia, with its demographic strength and strategic location, increasing share of global trade, and cultural and intellectual assets. He invited investors and partners from China and South Asia to explore opportunities in key sectors, including infrastructure, technology, green energy, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

On 20 June 2025, the Deputy Minister held bilateral discussions with the Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, where future collaboration in areas such as processed food, apparel, agriculture, and tourism were explored. He expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in technical assistance and knowledge exchange, including opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to gain exposure to Yunnan’s expertise in the cut flower industry, a sector in which the province is globally recognized as the ‘Kingdom of Flora and Fauna’.

The Sri Lanka Theme Pavilion was officially inaugurated on 19 June 2025 at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe. Minister Samarasinghe also delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony.

Sri Lanka’s presence at the Exposition showcased a vibrant display of its economic strengths and cultural heritage. A wide range of high-value exports and services were exhibited including gems and jewellery, Ceylon Tea, coconut-based products and fiber, spices, organic and wellness products, handicrafts, batiks, confectionery, and processed foods. Sri Lanka’s participation aimed to strengthen trade ties, enhance export potential, and increase market access for Sri Lankan businesses in China and South Asia.