News
Kidney racket: Organ transplants suspended at Western Infirmary
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Organ transplant operations at Western Hospital (Western Infirmary) at Borella, Colombo 08, have been suspended pending investigations into the alleged kidney racket, according to a statement issued by the Health Ministry, dated 05 Dec.
The statement released by Indika Polkotuwa, Media Secretary to Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella quoted the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena as having said that transplanting of organs at that hospital has been suspended pending ongoing investigations.
Asked whether the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes has initiated an inquiry into the alleged kidney racket, its President K.A.A.P. Kuruppuarachchi told The Island that the Private Health Services Regulatory Council was inquiring into the claims, in addition to investigations initiated by the Health Ministry and the police.
The Health Ministry statement also quoted Secretary of the regulatory body, Dhammika Alahapperuma, as having said that the medical facility was under investigation over alleged irregularities pertaining to kidney transplants.
Police headquarters said that the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) initiated investigations into the alleged kidney racket after receiving complaints from four men and one woman who were not paid the promised money for the kidneys obtained from their bodies. Police headquarters said that a 41-year-old resident
of Kajimawatta, Colombo 15, has been arrested in this connection. Investigations have revealed that the suspect received money from both the donor and the recipient.
Police identified the suspect as Mohammad Basir Mohammed Rajabdeen aka Bhai.
GMOA spokesman Dr. Chamila Wijesinghe while welcoming the inquiry initiated by the Health Ministry told The Island that the latest disclosure underscored the need for further strengthening of regulatory mechanisms. Referring to such previous cases, Dr. Wijesinghe said that the public were never informed of the outcome of those investigations. “We sincerely hope, the Health Ministry bring investigations into a successful conclusion and take punitive action against those responsible, regardless of their standing in the society,” the GMOA official said.
The official pointed out that the alleged involvement of law enforcement personnel, as well as medical, too, should be thoroughly investigated.
Responding to another query, Dr. Wijesinghe said that there seemed to be no basis for claims as regards transplanting of testicles and that may have been a red herring to divert attention away from the alleged kidney racket that has been going on for years with authorities turning a blind eye.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
