Specialist Doctor Back To Remand: Releasing Doctor Could Obstruct Investigation, says Magistrate

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga ordered that Dr. Maheshi Wijerathna, a specialist at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, remain in remand custody until July 15.

She is currently being held in connection with allegations of selling surgical medical items at inflated prices through a third party.

Two other individuals who were remanded alongside Dr. Wijerathna were released on bail today (8).

Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga  ordered to release on bail of two suspects—K. Indika, a clerk from the ward of the accused specialist doctor, and Nimal Ranjith Muthukuda, reportedly an employee of a private institution operated by the doctor.

The suspects were released on cash bail of Rs. 25,000 each and two surety bails of Rs. 2 million each.

During the hearing, an officer from the Bribery Commission informed the court that the accused specialist doctor had allegedly provided false information regarding her residential address.

Investigators had inspected several locations she claimed to reside in.

The Bribery Commission further stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that statements are being recorded from staff members of the ward where the doctor was employed.

In light of this, the Commission requested that bail not be granted to the doctor at this stage.

Appearing on behalf of the accused, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne argued that the doctor had performed approximately 10,000 surgeries, including 8,000 in Sri Lanka and 2,000 in the United Kingdom.

“Less than 100 patients have died following surgeries performed by my client, and even those deaths were not directly caused by the surgeries. Some surgical items provided by Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital are of substandard quality, which forces patients to purchase them externally. My client has only advised patients to do so when necessary. Until the investigation is complete, suspects should not be remanded. The judiciary should not become a rubber stamp for investigators. My client is willing to fully cooperate with the investigation. I respectfully request that she be released on suitable bail conditions,” said the President's Counsel in court.

After considering the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the specialist doctor remain in remand custody.

Following the ruling, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne questioned the Magistrate on the grounds for rejecting bail.

In response, the Magistrate stated that statements are still being recorded from witnesses, and releasing the suspect at this stage could interfere with the investigation. Therefore, the bail application was denied.