Dates have been set for consideration of the writ filed by Dr Mohamed Shafi Sahabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital seeking an order to pay the arrears of salary and allowances entitled to him due to him being sent on mandatory leave over false allegations.
The writ was taken up before Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna of the Court of Appeal today (17) and it was ordered to consider the hearing of the petition on March 04.
Pointing out in his petition that he was sent on mandatory leave on the allegation that he was responsible for performing illegal sterilizing procedures on mothers, Dr. Shafi denoted that the salaries and allowances entitled to him up to this point have not been paid, thereby requesting the Court to issue an order releasing them.
Director of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Dr. Chandana Kendagamuwa, its former Director A.M.S. Weera Bandara, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Health Secretary Dr. S.H. Munasinghe, and Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena have been cited as respondents to the petition.
Lawyers appearing for the plaintiff told the Court that they object to the conduct of the preliminary disciplinary inquiries against their client by the Director of the Kurunegala Hospital Dr. Kendagamuwa, who, according to the counsels, is a biased person and that this matter has been informed to the Public Service Commission as well.
Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena appearing for the Attorney General’s Office stated that an affair related to the Public Service Commission cannot be heard before the Court of Appeal in accordance with the Constitution.
Accordingly, further hearing of the case has been adjourned till March 04.
MIAP
