Economic hardships force poor families to sell kidneys, racket busted

6 December 2022 02:50 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) uncovered a massive human organ trafficking racket operating at a private hospital in Borella deceiving people from poor families during the ongoing economic crisis.

The CCD launched investigations into the racket after complaints were lodged by five persons including a woman to the Borella Police Station in connection with the non-payment after selling kidneys at a leading hospital in Borella. The kidneys had been sold by people belonging to poor families who were suffering to make ends especially during the ongoing economic crisis.

Accordingly, the police arrested a suspect involved in the racket after he surrendered himself at the Colombo Crime Division on Monday evening.

The arrested suspect is a 41-year-old resident of Kajimawatta, Colombo 15,

He was remanded till 13 December by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The Magistrate also ordered a travel ban to be imposed on six directors of the private hospital.

It has been revealed that this suspect has acted as a broker by coordinating between the person who sold the kidney and the receiving party.

In addition, apart from the brokerage fees, the suspect has also defrauded a part of the money given by the management of the hospital to those who sold the kidney.

Sources said that the victims who complained about the racket were presented before a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) and it was revealed that one of those people's kidneys had been removed.

They were promised a large amount of money for donating the kidneys, but they claimed that they have not received the money.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a kidney removed from a poor person has been transplanted to a foreigner.

Following the uncovering of the racket, the Health Ministry has appointed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident and has taken steps to temporarily suspend organ transplants at the concerned private hospital. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

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Comments - 22

Bandu Tuesday, 06 December 2022 03:21 PM

It was not the Police but a TV channel that spotlighted this crime. As usual police claiming credit.

johan Tuesday, 06 December 2022 06:56 PM

Yes Police commission and Police are doing only mother in law job for Govt.by arresting protestors etc.

Mahinda Athugala Tuesday, 06 December 2022 04:29 PM

Professor rezvi sheriff the owner of Western infirmary has always been a corrupt money minded physician. He has been doing this sort of thing for decades with impunity and i am sure this time he will get away too

Tony Tuesday, 06 December 2022 05:03 PM

Thanks you so much Mahindra. So the hospital got to be Western Hospital , NM Perera Mawatha, Borella.

Ahmed Tuesday, 06 December 2022 06:38 PM

The full force of the law should be applied.

Volker Metzger Tuesday, 06 December 2022 06:11 PM

The Sri Lankan news is blacker and blacker every day!!! Now the daily news even reads about the organ trade, in which a respected hospital and doctors are obviously involved in a criminal way! The poorest of the poor sell their organs to survive and wealthy people buy their organs!!! What have Sri Lankan politicians made of this country and its people that people in their need are forced to do something like this!? In view of this and other terrible events, can the political leadership still celebrate and sleep in peace

Pakaya of the Govt Tuesday, 06 December 2022 07:04 PM

I blaim the Covt to take the reponsibily. Poor people sell their organs because of poverty. This country has beendrawn to thatlevel that for a living they have to sell their own body parts to the rich, have you any shame?

Sam Silva Tuesday, 06 December 2022 07:18 PM

The most heart breaking is to see how the richest are enjoying life as we speak. Very, very sad!!!

Lanka Tuesday, 06 December 2022 07:20 PM

It has come to this!? While the poor sell their organs for their living, the top feast and party at Shangri la etc etc. Of course they have no conscience! This country is doomed!

GHT Tuesday, 06 December 2022 10:37 PM

People have already known the results, that the criminals will be bailed out, poors suffer the same.

Punchi Wednesday, 07 December 2022 01:24 AM

At the end of the war a large number of kidneys and culled LTTE surrendering fighters was available and even shipped to Pakistan and China

M Fernando Wednesday, 07 December 2022 01:40 AM

These people should be punished harshly. The President has indicated in very clear terms that he will not tolerate people giving the country a Bad Name These activities make us look as if we are a poor country

Neil Wednesday, 07 December 2022 01:44 AM

The poor men are selling their own body parts. How about Ranil selling the country's assets. The bastard threw a party at Shangrilla when the poor people are selling their organs.

Kathir Wednesday, 07 December 2022 02:21 AM

Why can Ranil come forward to propose his organs instead of poor People?

Nalaka Wednesday, 07 December 2022 02:24 AM

It's going to cost more now because government officers who investigate need to be paid as well.

DD Wednesday, 07 December 2022 04:45 AM

Why isn’t anyone naming the police officer who we all saw heavily involved in this racket ? Is he related to the Raja’s and reason he is not named?

Ceylonese Wednesday, 07 December 2022 07:15 AM

This has been happening for sometime now, there were incidents poor Sri Lankans were taken to India for such operations, can't believe it's happening in the backyard now.

S perera Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:10 AM

Why only a travel ban against the directors of Western Infirmary ?? Shouldn 't they be charged ? Dr Rizvi Sherif's children are involved in running the hospital and he also underwent a kidney trans plant recently. Its so sad that whilst the poor can't even afford to buy medicine, the rich can go to the extent of buying organs of the poor to live longer.

Spartacus Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:21 AM

These citizens fully deserve this. 69% voted for this and now there balls are getting kicked by those same politicians they voted to power. Mahinda's and families balls are all safe.

Sorry still you want to rule this country is the tragedy Wednesday, 07 December 2022 09:08 AM

Ranil and Rajapakshas should not look at this page because of the heartless sinners people are undergoing all these problems..

DOT Wednesday, 07 December 2022 09:12 AM

Its really pathetic and shameful. Dear Leaders ; Please pull up your socks and do some meaningful things as soon as posible! The strom is already arraived.

Jef Wednesday, 07 December 2022 09:31 AM

Sri lanka have become very poor majority in poverty and extremely in dificult the dealer's wheelers elegal activies have huge Market using those poor people for anything promising money . Sadly god knows what future holds for those in poverty

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Economic hardships force poor families to sell kidneys, racket busted

Comments - 22

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