Govt. insists removal of MRI head is according to due procedure

By Saman Indrajith

Removal of Dr Jayaruwan Bandara from the post of Acting Director of the Medical Research Institute was according to the due procedure and practices in the institute, Parliament was told yesterday.

State Minister Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that Dr Bandara had been acting as the head of the MRI while the Doctor who had been abroad was undergoing an advanced training programme. “The doctor who was undergoing a training programme was the director appointed to the MRI by the Public Service Commission. During his absence, Dr Bandara was acting on his behalf. Now the director has returned so the acting director has to leave. There is no issue, it was only the due procedure.”

She said so in response to a question raised by SJB Kurunegala District MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena, who demanded to know from the government the reason for the transfer of Dr Bandara.

“Ven Muruththttuwe Ananda Thera, a leading monk who openly helped the SLPP to become government is now stating that not even the Health Minister was aware of the transfer of the head of the country’s premier research institute functioning under the health minister. That has become a serious issue. We want to know what is happening. In addition, the number of PCR tests has been decreased drastically while the COVID-19 is on the rise. COVID-19 second wave is more dangerous than the previous. In such a context how could the government justify this transfer?

Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that the question should have been referred to the subject minister, Pavitra Wanniarachchi who was not in the chamber. In the absence of the health minister, State Minister Fernandopulle responded.