The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (15) granted bail to Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a specialist at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, who was arrested and remanded on suspicion of corruption for allegedly selling surgical instruments to patients at inflated prices.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga issued the order after reviewing submissions from officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and the defense counsel, according to Dasatha Court Reporter.
Dr. Wijeratne was released on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000, with three sureties of Rs. 5 million each. The court also imposed a ban on her entering Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital and prohibited her from foreign travel. Furthermore, she was ordered to surrender her passport to the court.
Appearing on behalf of the Bribery Commission, Assistant Director General Anusha Sambandhapperuma informed the court that the investigation had revealed information about a business entity named M.N.M., allegedly operated by Dr. Wijeratne to sell surgical equipment to patients. The court had already been notified about this establishment during prior proceedings.
She further noted that a similar institution, Ealish Medical Center, had been initiated by an individual named Shama Kumari Rodrigue. When questioned, Rodrigue stated that she was informed by Dr. Wijeratne about starting the business and had been promised “pocket money” in return.
According to Sambandhapperuma, a bank account linked to this business was jointly maintained by Rodrigue and Dr. Wijeratne. Proceeds from the sale of medical equipment were credited to this account, with control over fund disbursements assigned to Dr. Wijeratne. Investigations also revealed that the suspect had authorized payments from the account to a second suspect, Ranjith Muthukuda.
The Assistant Director General emphasized that although allegations had surfaced claiming the Bribery Commission was targeting specific professions with ill intent, the Commission does not investigate professional ethics. Rather, under the Anti-Corruption Act, it is empowered to act if a professional misuses official authority for personal gain or enables others to profit unlawfully.
She added that further inquiries are necessary to determine whether the suspect operates additional businesses selling medical equipment to patients and to investigate associated financial accounts. On these grounds, Sambandhapperuma requested the court to extend Dr. Wijeratne’s remand until the investigation is complete.
Responding on behalf of the suspect, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris argued that Dr. Wijeratne had already been held in remand for 29 days. He questioned the intentions of the Bribery Commission, referring to claims made by the Commission that Dr. Wijeratne performed surgeries on brain-dead patients and that over 70% of her patients had died.
“These statements were not part of the investigation but intended to attract media attention. They were for the gallery,” Peiris asserted. “There is no public outrage over this matter. What exists is a manufactured social media wave. Courts should not operate based on artificial public pressure.”
He further warned that such actions by the Bribery Commission could erode public confidence in the legal system: “This approach, driven by populist sentiment, could soon lead to a breakdown in the rule of law.”
President’s Counsel Peiris concluded by requesting the court to release Dr. Wijeratne on bail, stating that there was no sufficient evidence to justify her continued remand.
