28 May 2019 12:10 am
The Health Ministry has appointed a special investigative body to look into the allegations levelled against Dr. Siyabdeen Mohamed Safi attached to the Kurunegala Hospital who is accused of performing forced sterilisation surgeries, Subject Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.
He told a press conference held at Temple Trees that an investigative body comprising three members from the Ceylon College of Gynecologists and one member from the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) would probe the allegations. “This committee will determine whether the doctor concerned had committed any offence or not,” he said.
When asked as to why the doctor was not interdicted, the minister said the usual procedure would be carried out in dealing with him.
“State officials are not suspended before a preliminary inquiry. It is done only after determining whether the person in question has committed any offence or not. The mothers who had complained against the doctor will also be subjected to medical checkups to determine whether they had been sterilised,” he said.
Referring to the no-confidence motion brought against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, he said harassing moderate Muslims would result in them being radicalised.
“The late A. Amirthalingam was removed from the post of opposition leader when he and other TULF MPs were removed from Parliament in 1983. This radicalised moderate Tamil politicians. The same could happen if the moderate Muslim leaders are harassed. Also, investigations are more important than a no-confidence motion which is a political exercise. A probe by a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) will determine whether a person had committed any offence or not,” he said.