Kahathuduwa Hospital Doctor Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Young Woman

A 40-year-old doctor who worked in the Outpatient Department of Kahathuduwa Wathara District Hospital has been arrested by Kahathuduwa Police on charges of sexually assaulting a 26-year-old young woman who came for treatment. The incident was reported on November 19, and a complaint was received by the police stating that the doctor took the young woman to an isolated room under the guise of a medical examination and committed the abuse.

The complainant, a young woman, first came to the hospital for treatment due to an illness on November 12, where the suspect doctor instructed her to undergo a urine test and bring the report. Accordingly, when she returned to the hospital with the said report on November 19, the suspect doctor, setting aside other patients, examined her reports and stated that a special medical examination was necessary.

According to medical ethics and patient rights regulations, a female nurse or female healthcare worker must always be present when examining a female patient. However, the suspect doctor is accused of violating these fundamental guidelines by taking the young woman to an isolated room without the presence of any female party and sexually assaulting her by inappropriately touching her body.

The young woman, deeply distressed by the incident, immediately went to the Kahathuduwa Police and lodged a complaint. The police promptly initiated investigations and facilitated a forensic medical examination for her. During police investigations, both parties were summoned and questioned, and based on the facts and evidence revealed, the police proceeded to arrest the suspect doctor.

This incident has raised concerns about patient safety and medical ethics in government hospitals, and the Ministry of Health has also paid special attention to the matter. The administration of Wathara Hospital has launched an internal investigation into the incident, and if the doctor is found guilty, there is a possibility of severe disciplinary action, including the suspension of his registration by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.