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Colombo Magistrate’s Court has remanded Dr. Maheshi Wijerathna, a renowned neurosurgeon at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, until June 24 following a request by the Bribery Commission.
The Bribery Commission alleges that Dr. Wijerathna, along with two others, has been involved in selling certain medicines and surgical materials to patients through their private medical practice at inflated prices. It is further alleged that patients were deliberately diverted from the hospital’s official medical supply channels to purchase these expensive items from private suppliers associated with the accused.
The two others arrested alongside Dr. Wijerathna are Indika Kekulandala Liyanage, an assistant manager at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, and Nimal Ranjith Muthukuda, a resident of Kadawatha who worked at the private institution unlawfully run by the doctor.
Allegations of Inflated Pricing and Financial Loss to Patients
According to the Bribery Commission, surgical items like EVD (External Ventricular Drain) and VP Shunt, which are necessary for neurosurgery procedures, were not included in the hospital’s official annual estimates. Instead, under the direction of Dr. Wijerathna, these items were procured through external private agencies controlled by her and hospital staff. This resulted in unnecessary financial burdens on patients and unjust profits for the accused parties.
The Commission revealed that in 2022, the hospital’s medical supplies division priced an EVD at around Rs. 17,500, while the average market price hovered near Rs. 46,500. However, patients were forced to pay between Rs. 120,000 and Rs. 250,000 when directed to purchase from private suppliers affiliated with the accused.
So far, approximately 300 patients who underwent such surgeries have been identified, with statements recorded from 77 of them. The investigations have sadly also uncovered that a significant number of these patients have since died. The Bribery Commission estimates the total financial loss suffered by these patients to be close to Rs. 30 million.
Heartbreaking Patient Testimony About Overpriced Equipment
One particularly distressing account was shared on Facebook by a mother in 2022 who described how her child required an EVD device after a severe accident. Despite the hospital’s official price being Rs. 17,500, she was forced to pay Rs. 130,000. When the child needed a second EVD, she paid the inflated price again. Due to rising hospital costs, the family was later forced to transfer the child to a government hospital, but tragically, the child passed away after about a year.
Background and Controversies Surrounding Dr. Wijerathna
Dr. Maheshi Wijerathna is the daughter of former parliamentarian Mahendra Surasinghe Wijerathna, a representative of the United National Party. She has also been involved in notable cases, such as treating Duminda Silva, a former MP convicted for the assassination of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Silva received neurosurgical care from Dr. Wijerathna during his imprisonment.
Additionally, Dr. Wijerathna has faced past accusations, including an incident in 2015 where she allegedly injured a woman with a glass bottle during a dispute at a hotel. Despite complaints filed with the police, no legal action was taken against her, reportedly due to her political connections.
Social Media Backlash: Criticism from All Sides
Following her arrest, Dr. Wijerathna has come under intense scrutiny and criticism on social media platforms from all political and social spectrums. Many have condemned the abuse of her official position to profit illicitly at the expense of vulnerable patients. The public outrage centers on the exploitation of people in desperate medical situations, with calls for transparency and accountability within the health sector growing louder.
At the same time, a controversial fake document has circulated widely on social media, claiming to be from the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), alleging a government conspiracy behind the arrest. The GMOA has officially denounced the document as fraudulent and politically motivated, warning that legal action will be taken against those spreading misinformation and attempting to tarnish the association’s name.
Official Denial of Political Conspiracy
The Government Medical Officers’ Association issued a statement clarifying that the circulated letter is fake and that the arrest was a result of the ongoing investigation by the Bribery Commission, not a political conspiracy. The association condemned the use of its name and logo in fabricating false narratives intended to mislead the public and interfere with the justice process
Public Anger
The arrest of Dr. Maheshi Wijerathna marks a significant development in Sri Lanka’s ongoing fight against corruption within the public health system. As investigations continue, the case highlights serious ethical concerns and financial exploitation within hospital services, provoking widespread public anger and demanding reforms to protect patients and ensure justice.