- Patients dead for up to five days with only their heartbeat artificially sustained when procedures were carried out
- Surgeries had no therapeutic value and were allegedly done to generate financial gain
Colombo, June 25 – During the ongoing corruption case involving Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijerathna, a consultant neurosurgeon at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) told court yesterday that she had allegedly performed surgeries on brain-dead patients.
According to submissions by the Commission, the neurosurgeon had performed surgical procedures such as the insertion of External Ventricular Drains (EVDs) and Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts on patients who had already been medically classified as brain-dead. In some instances, CIABOC alleged, patients had been dead for up to five days with only their heartbeat artificially sustained when the procedures were carried out.
The allegation was made before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga during proceedings in the case where the neurosurgeon, a hospital chief clerk, and a medical equipment supplier stand accused of corruption, abuse of authority, and endangering patient lives.
The Commission stated that the surgeries had no therapeutic value and were allegedly done to generate financial gain through the sale of surgical equipment provided via a private entity linked to the doctor and her husband.
Appearing for the CIABOC, Additional Director of Bribery Commission counsel Sulochani Hettiarachchi told the court:
“This doctor conducted surgeries not on living patients, but on those who were already brain-dead, in some cases for up to five days, solely for the purpose of unjust enrichment. These were not medical interventions, but violations of ethics, law, and humanity.”
The suspects were earlier arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and produced in court on June 17. They are accused of directing hospital patients to external suppliers for essential neurosurgical items such as EVD and VP Shunt, bypassing hospital procurement procedures and causing financial loss to the institution while deriving undue benefits for themselves and third parties.
Investigations further revealed that a private business named MN Medical Centre, registered in 2009, had been jointly operated by the first suspect and an individual named Nigel, who is said to be her husband. The initials “MN” reportedly stand for Maheshika and Nigel. One complainant, Chamara Prasad, had allegedly been offered Rs. 200,000 and assistance in paying his medical bills in an attempt to silence him.
It was also revealed that the third suspect, Indika, had provided patients referred by the doctor with the contact number of the second suspect, Nimal Ranjith, who would then coordinate the sale of medical items through an establishment named Emma Pharma Center. Although the items were never physically delivered to patients, they were provided with billing documents via WhatsApp.
Statements from nursing staff and doctors confirmed that, on some days, the items were brought directly to the ward by the second suspect, and on other occasions by the doctor herself.
The Bribery Commission informed court that approximately 92 complaints have been received to date regarding this doctor, including allegations made via telephone by affected patients.
It was also reported that Nishantha Silva, the grandson of former Minister Colvin R. de Silva, who gave evidence in this case, had received threats in June 2025 as a result of his cooperation.
The Commission argued that granting bail would risk public outrage, as the matter has already attracted wide media and social media coverage.
Appearing for the first suspect, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris argued that the arrest, conducted within hospital premises, had been accompanied by media coverage in a seemingly orchestrated manner. He further contended that there were no valid legal grounds under Section 14 of the Bail Act to justify denial of bail. The defense also noted that many hospitals display notices encouraging patients to obtain advanced medications externally due to shortages within the hospital system.
Pieris told that the investigation has continued for over two years, during which the suspect had never interfered with proceedings. He also claimed that following the suspect’s arrest, two patients undergoing treatment in her ward had passed away.
Appearing for the third suspect, Counsel Anuja Premarathna referred to a televised statement made by Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni on Sirasa TV, in which the Minister claimed that patients obtaining external medicines was not a punishable offence and should be treated as a form of donation. Counsel argued that the prosecution should take such context into consideration.
After considering all submissions, the Chief Magistrate rejected the bail applications and ordered that all three suspects be remanded till July 8.