News

Kidney racket: Organ transplants suspended at Western Infirmary

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

The suspect

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Organ transplant operations at Western Hospital (Western Infirmary) at Borella, Colombo 08, have been suspended pending investigations into the alleged kidney racket, according to a statement issued by the Health Ministry, dated 05 Dec.

The statement released by Indika Polkotuwa, Media Secretary to Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella quoted the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena as having said that transplanting of organs at that hospital has been suspended pending ongoing investigations.

Asked whether the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes has initiated an inquiry into the alleged kidney racket, its President K.A.A.P. Kuruppuarachchi told The Island that the Private Health Services Regulatory Council was inquiring into the claims, in addition to investigations initiated by the Health Ministry and the police.

The Health Ministry statement also quoted Secretary of the regulatory body, Dhammika Alahapperuma, as having said that the medical facility was under investigation over alleged irregularities pertaining to kidney transplants.

Police headquarters said that the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) initiated investigations into the alleged kidney racket after receiving complaints from four men and one woman who were not paid the promised money for the kidneys obtained from their bodies. Police headquarters said that a 41-year-old resident

of Kajimawatta, Colombo 15, has been arrested in this connection. Investigations have revealed that the suspect received money from both the donor and the recipient.

Police identified the suspect as Mohammad Basir Mohammed Rajabdeen aka Bhai.

GMOA spokesman Dr. Chamila Wijesinghe while welcoming the inquiry initiated by the Health Ministry told The Island that the latest disclosure underscored the need for further strengthening of regulatory mechanisms. Referring to such previous cases, Dr. Wijesinghe said that the public were never informed of the outcome of those investigations. “We sincerely hope, the Health Ministry bring investigations into a successful conclusion and take punitive action against those responsible, regardless of their standing in the society,” the GMOA official said.

The official pointed out that the alleged involvement of law enforcement personnel, as well as medical, too, should be thoroughly investigated.

Responding to another query, Dr. Wijesinghe said that there seemed to be no basis for claims as regards transplanting of testicles and that may have been a red herring to divert attention away from the alleged kidney racket that has been going on for years with authorities turning a blind eye.

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Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

9 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

News

Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

News

Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.