A neurosurgeon and hospital staff at a top Sri Lankan hospital are accused of forcing patients to buy government-supplied surgical items at black-market prices. Over Rs. 300 million in patient losses and dozens of unexplained deaths are under investigation.
In a shocking revelation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), patients at a leading government hospital were charged between Rs. 120,000 to Rs. 250,000 for a medical device worth only Rs. 17,500, raising alarms of systemic fraud and medical corruption.
The device in question, known as EVD (External Ventricular Drain), is a critical component used in neurosurgeries. Although it had been officially supplied to Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital for Rs. 17,500 (with its market value at about Rs. 46,500), patients were allegedly coerced into buying the same item at highly inflated prices through external private channels linked to a top hospital official.
Among those arrested by CIABOC are Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijayarathna, a specialist neurosurgeon, a hospital clerk, and a third-party employee of a private firm reportedly owned by the doctor herself. The Commission alleges that Dr. Wijayarathna misused her position by directing patients to external suppliers, completely bypassing the hospital’s in-house supply division, which had sufficient stock.
The probe has uncovered that around 300 patients underwent surgeries involving the overpriced item, and 77 patient statements have already been recorded. Disturbingly, several patients have died after the surgeries, prompting authorities to further investigate potential medical negligence or foul play.
The estimated financial damage to patients totals around Rs. 300 million, a sum that underscores the gravity of corruption embedded in segments of the healthcare system. CIABOC is now pursuing legal action against the suspects for abuse of authority, misappropriation of public resources, and causing financial harm to both the government and vulnerable patients.
Authorities believe this could be one of the largest medical corruption scandals in Sri Lanka’s recent history and have vowed to hold all responsible parties accountable.
