Harin rejects Tharushi’s Ireland visit

13 December 2023 07:30 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Susil Premalal

Colombo, Dec. 13 (Daily Mirror) - A request by the Institute of Sports Medicine to send Asian Games Gold Medallist Tharushi Karunaratne to Ireland for medical treatment was turndown by the Sports Minister Harin Fernando.

This was revealed by the Sports Minister at a meeting held at the Ministry office with representatives of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), National Sports Association (NSA), National Selection Committee (NSC), National Sports Council (NSC) and the Institute of Sports Medicine.

In fact, the Institute of Sports Medicine had sought out permission from the Sports Minister and had requested to release funds required for Karunaratne’s medical and other expenses in Ireland.

Karunaratne was set to leave for Ireland along with her brother and a medical doctor and they had requested funds for their travelling, medical and accommodation expenses.

The Sports Minister further said that Karunaratne had never brought notice of her injury either to the Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) or to the NOCSL.

It was a strange move by the Institute of Sports Medicine to send her to Ireland without making arrangements to send her to a renowned hospital like the Apollo in India or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

The young athlete had never taken a MRI scan test in Sri Lanka on her injury and the expenses sought by the Institute of Sports Medicine became a questionable issue at the meeting.

It was also brought to the notice that Karanaratne is set to sit for her GCE (A/L) Examination on January 4 and had made arrangements to leave for Ireland in the second week of December.

At the conclusion the Minister directed Karunaratne to undergo a special medical test by a Special Medical Council.

Karunarathna came into the limelight when she clinched the Gold Medal in the Women’s 800m event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in October.

The schoolgirl from A. Rathnayaka Central College, Walala, overcame all odds and a star-studded line-up to finish the race with a time of 2:03.20s.

Tharushi’s success had a great amount of significance as Sri Lanka won an Asian Games Gold Medal after a lapse of 21 years.

Comments - 29

Lucky Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:01 PM

Right decision in the circumstance, Mr. Minister. !

bill Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:13 PM

The problem is the sports medical unit is not run by sports medical consultants. This happens when gastric doctors do sports medicine

Mk Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:20 PM

What a joke !! HARIN what about you trip to Singapore hospital. Any doctor given any certificate? Our money. You flew like my my money my plane my pilot. Anyone question??

Dee Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:38 PM

This shows that every institution in this country is corrupt to the core! Sport medicine or whatever. Now this will be the next blah blah from the potent president candidates.

Gayan Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:46 PM

The cricket crook has no shame.

Be Fair Wednesday, 13 December 2023 08:57 PM

Right decision by the Minister.....?????

Heshan Wednesday, 13 December 2023 09:15 PM

Yes. When was Ireland known for better medical services than Apollo or Queen Elizabeth. The athlete was to be accompanied by her brother and a medical doctor who had requested funds for travelling, medical and accommodation expenses. Something very fishy. The Minister did the right thing by requesting the athelete to undertake a special medical test by a Special Medical Council before a finl decisin is taken. They need to get to the bottom of this and expose it. Someone seems to be making use of this wonderful athlete.

Lalith Wednesday, 13 December 2023 09:30 PM

Try ayurveda

Massdeen Wednesday, 13 December 2023 09:38 PM

I think it’s the correct thing Haribo did firstly can take scan here can go to India or spore better

Petti coat Wednesday, 13 December 2023 10:34 PM

Perhaps looking for greener pastures. If this happened to the cricket team they would be on the next flight out. This girl has a lot of potential and can prosper overseas but Sri Lanka will only limit her with their petty decisions.

Paul Smith Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:28 AM

It is okay if she is being victimized or compromised in any way.No... She is getting every facility now. She owes Millions and Millions to Sri Lanka. If she was thinking like that, gold or Aluminium, she should be kicked out and remanded.

PaulSmith Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:34 AM

Another thing is she is only 19 and it should be her father or mother accompanying her. But why brother? Because he got a Silver Medal at Asian Youth, some years back. They are going to jump alright.

Harin the Preacher Thursday, 14 December 2023 12:30 AM

Leave this aside why Harin runs to Singapore even for a stent insertion.Why can't he get this done here? These corrupt rogues time should be over at the next election.

Nilmini Welivita Thursday, 14 December 2023 02:58 AM

Only sleazy Harin can travel overseas for medical treatment.

Munidasa Seelasena Thursday, 14 December 2023 05:15 AM

Myna is sick - send him to UK for treatment! RW will fall down very soon with a massive heart attack - keep money ready for him. Then the remaining thieves will fall down one by one - keep money for them to go overseas for treatments and then fund for the life!

shanaka Thursday, 14 December 2023 05:51 AM

Sorry about this Tharushi, our idiots only sponsor cricket which generates money, they do not know or care about any other sport, wish can fly you into another country make another country proud that appreciates you talents, refer to Anton Pushparaj case and many others, people will only remember cricket

Aram Thursday, 14 December 2023 07:47 AM

Tharushi must be given respect and chances bcoz she brought respect to SL. But unfortunately, Minister visited Australia with Sanath and met cricketer Gunathilaka when he was in custody is a shame

Sharon McNeilly, Melbourne Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:30 AM

Spot on!

Doctor to explain in Irish slang? Thursday, 14 December 2023 08:21 AM

Two person to escort one athlete! What about Kandyan dancers and Berakarayas to escort all the way to the hospital in Ireland and back? The picture will not be complete without them!

Jude Thursday, 14 December 2023 08:39 AM

Foreign medical treatment privilege entitlement only for scumbags aka politicians!!

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 14 December 2023 09:35 AM

Only Harin can go abroad for medical treatment.

Ray Fernando Thursday, 14 December 2023 09:56 AM

There is no doubt that Tharushi, Sri Lanka's brightest young athlete needs best medical care overseas and funds for it. It is also right that proper tests have to be conducted in Srilanka by best doctors under medical council to assess her injury and well being. But funding guys around her and those in corrupt sports bodies or medicine services who try to exploit her for corrupt intentions must not be allowed and exposed or banned. Hope the minister takes the right decision to support her and protect her future career as well as her education.

Cherath Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:18 AM

Irrespective of the misuse of public funds for health or pleasure trips by Harin, Ranil or anyone else, Harin made the correct call here. Bringing honour and fame is one thing but trying to pull the wool to 'disappear to pastures green at people's expense' is another. If at her own cost, none will grouse.

Lion Thursday, 14 December 2023 11:06 AM

Hope positive judgment will be received unseating the man soon

Jonklaas Thursday, 14 December 2023 12:43 PM

HARIN IS HITTING HEADLINES ALL THE TIME SINCE BEING APPOINTED SPORTS MINISTER?

CART B4 THE HORSE Thursday, 14 December 2023 02:43 PM

I think some of you are jumping the gun. If this young athlete wants to go overseas all she has to do is go on a holiday visa to any country of her choice and then claim political asylum, she can even do it privately with the help of any family member, extended family and or friend living overseas to take her case/situation across, she will be successful.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 14 December 2023 04:39 PM

They only need a golden duck to show and make money. This is Sri Lanka. All those around this girl will try to make a buck but will not life a finger to improve her to another level.

DJ Thursday, 14 December 2023 06:59 PM

Harin, has joint the ban wagons of the CURRUPT.

Observer Monday, 18 December 2023 09:22 PM

You have power. Why don’t you arrest her for preparing to use our dollars for unnecessary demands.Forget the medals!!!!

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Harin rejects Tharushi’s Ireland visit

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