Several politicians have appreciated Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen from the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital for the timely donation of his salary arrears for the purchase of essential medicines for Sri Lanka.
Dr. Sihabdeen was sent on compulsory leave after being arrested for allegedly performing illegal sterilization operations without the consent of women at the Kurunegala Teaching hospital. The Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court released Dr. Sihabdeen on bail as the allegations against him could not be proven.
The Ministry of Health which had agreed to settle the overdue wages of Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen has settled the payment with a cheque of over Rs. 2.67 million.
Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen in return has donated the payment for the purchase of essential medicines for Sri Lanka which is in the midst of a severe shortage of medicines due to the economic crisis.
Commending Dr. Shafi on his donation, former Sri Lanka President Dr. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga congratulated him for the response to his unfair detention.
In a Facebook post, the former President said, “Courts ordered Dr.Shafi’s salary to be paid in full, for the period he was interdicted. And Shafi has donated his entire salary to the Kurunegala hospital where he worked!”.
In a message directed at Dr. Shafi, she further said, “a shameful Chapter of Sinhala extremism clothed in lies, jealousy, and hatred has ruined the life of a good professional. Congratulations Dr.Shafi for your response to the hatred spewed at you! All right-thinking Sinhala citizens pay homage to you.”
Meanwhile, opposition leader MP Sajith Premadasa too has commended Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen for his gesture, stating that the case of Dr.Shafi is an example of how behind religious extremism there is no religion at all but petty jealousy and small-mindedness.
“Truly inspired by how he has responded. We salute his gesture and in support, we will match his donation through Husma,” the MP added.
MP Sajith Premadasa also clarified details on the government-run “Husmak” programme which has been set up to obtain necessary essential medicines for Sri Lanka under the current crisis.
Responding to a query by a social media user on the programme, MP Premadasa said the ‘Husmak’ program is supported by local and foreign donors, and that contributions are made in the form of direct payment to suppliers and vendors of medical equipment and medicines.
In this way, over 140 million rupees worth of essential medical equipment to over 50 hospitals has been donated, he added. (NewsWire)