12 nurses pay compensation for having defamed medical practitioner

12 nurses pay compensation for having defamed medical practitioner

Cardiac-thoracic specialist surgeon of Karapitiya hospital, Mr. Namal Gamage has filed a defamatory case demanding Rs. five lakhs from each of the twenty seven nurses for damages incurred by him in the event of circulating a letter and the case was taken in for hearing in the presence of district judge, Mrs. Nilmini Witharana in which instance twelve respondents came into an agreement to pay Rs. fifty thousand each and thus arrive at a settlement. As such, to submit settlement conditions was postponed till 8th August. In this case,
twenty nurses of the same unit were named as respondents by cardiac-thoracic surgeon Mr. Namal Gamage of Karapitiya hospital. 

Twenty seven nurses with their signatures have directed a letter dated 18.7.2003 director of Karapitiya hospital, director general of health services, additional secretary of ministry of health, chairperson of public services united nurses' association stating that after notifying specialist surgeon, Mr. Namal Gamage about action taken by them to keep away from surgeries carried out duty hours after May 1st, 2003 due to a reason of income discrepancy and as a consequence the said doctor has influenced them, threatened and even made false allegations. 

The said petition mentions that because of the aforesaid letter so circulated, the doctor has demanded a sum of Rs. five lakhs from each nurse for damages incurred by him for his goodwill, esteem and defamation of character. It was revealed that a majority of these respondents are not in service at this unit. While the twelve respondents have expressed consent to pay Rs. fifty thousand each and bring the case to a settlement, the petitioner too has expressed his consent in this respect. President's counsel Mr. Ananda Wickremasekera, attorney at Law Mr. Hemantha Witharana and attorney at Law Mrs. Nanda Witharana appeared on behalf of complainant. 

- Unawatuna, D.P. Sugathapala -