A shocking disciplinary investigation has been launched after three senior doctors at Ratnapura Teaching Hospital allegedly performed a caesarean section at a private hospital during official duty hours, raising serious questions about ethics, accountability, and medical professionalism.
The director of the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital has officially requested the Secretary of the Ministry of Health to initiate a disciplinary investigation against three medical specialists accused of neglecting their duties during working hours. The complaint centers on an obstetrician and gynecologist, a paediatrician, and an anesthesiologist who reportedly took part in performing a caesarean section at a private hospital in the Ratnapura area on the 14th.
According to the hospital director’s letter, information has also surfaced that several junior medical officers from the hospital were involved in assisting the procedure. This has intensified concerns about a potential misuse of state hospital resources and manpower for private gain, while patients at the teaching hospital may have been left without adequate specialist cover during that time.
The report further highlights that by participating in the surgery during their official duty hours, the three doctors have allegedly violated the provisions outlined in General Circular No. 02/99, which governs the professional conduct of medical practitioners attached to government hospitals.
Authorities are expected to launch a formal disciplinary process to determine the extent of the misconduct and hold the doctors accountable. If found guilty, the specialists may face serious consequences, including suspension or removal, as part of a wider crackdown on unethical practices within Sri Lanka’s health sector.
