Controversial plastic surgeon allowed to practice

3 October 2014 04:10 pm

Dr. Nimal N. Gamage, who was on bail in connection with the death of a lady doctor during cosmetic surgery at his clinic was permitted re-open his cosmetic surgery and resume his practice from tomorrow.

Colombo Additional Magistrate A.M. Shahabdeen also directed the Bambalapitiya Police to hand over the custody of the beauty clinic, located at an apartment on Vajira Road, to Dr. Gamage at 10.a.m. tomorrow.

Sequent to the death of the lady doctor, the clinic was sealed by the Bambalapitiya Polce on a Court order.

At today’s inquiry, Dr Gamage’s counsel told the Magistrate that Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Acting Registrar Dr. H.M.S.S.B. Herath had in a letter dated September16 had stated that Dr. Gamage was registered as a Medical Practitioner under SLMC Reference No: 8069 dated December 4, 1982 and that he was qualified to practice Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Herath had also said that SLMC records did not show that Dr Gamage was licensed to practice Cosmetic Surgery and other connected practices.
The Defence Counsel said even though the SLMC records did not show that Dr. Gamage was permitted to perform cosmetic surgery, he had qualified as a cosmetic surgeon in the US and was competent enough to perform such surgeries.

Therefore the Counsel requested Court to withdraw the restraining order made on the doctor and to permit him to do his practice.  

The Acting Registrar said if the doctor had experience in cosmetic surgery he could continue practising cosmetic surgery.

The Police said they would be seeking the Attorney General’s advice on what action that needs to be taken on the journalist who interviewed the doctor while he was in remand.  

The case was postponed for November 21. Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe PC with Nishada Gamage and instructed by Nanda Gunaratne appeared for Dr Gamage. (T. Farook Thajudeen)