Dr. Mohamed Shafi Sihabdeen of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital reinstated

The Public Services Commission has decided to reinstate Dr. Mohamed Shafi Sihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital who awas sent on compulsory leave on bizarre allegations of performing illegal sterilisation operations.

The commission has also instructed to pay arrears of his salary for the period he was sent on compulsory leave. The commission has informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Health in this regard.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Health has informed the commission’s decision to the Director of the Kurunegala Hospital.

The Secretary has further stated in his letter that as the Establishments Code clearly stipulates how to deal with an officer on compulsory leave and that the reasons for non-payment of salaries for that period should be reported to him without delay.

Dr. Mohamed Shafi was accused of carrying out illegal surgical sterilisations on women, improper accumulation of funds, and allegedly aiding and abetting terrorism.

Following the investigations conducted earlier, in June 2019, the Criminal Investigations Department informed court that there was no evidence to prove the allegations made against Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen.