The Health Ministry has refuted reports pertaining to the reinstatement of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen of the Kurunegala Hospital.
The Ministry said a decision has not been taken to reinstate Dr. Shihabdeen who is currently on compulsory leave.
The Ministry said a decision was taken only to settle his salary arrears according to regulations.
The statement comes after it was reported yesterday that the Health Ministry has decided to reinstate Dr.Shafi Sihabdeen who was sent on compulsory leave after being accused of performing illegal sterilisation operations.
Despite, the Ministry refuting the report, local media Ada Derana yesterday had published a circular issued by the Health Ministry Secretary on the matter.
The circular addressed to the Director of the Kurunegal Hospital had been issued under the headline reinstating Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen and settling his salary arrears.
Shihabdeen served at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital and was arrested in 2019 over allegations on the alleged sterilisation of women without their consent.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in July, 2019 informed the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court that investigations carried out so far had not proven that Dr. Shihabdeen had blocked the fallopian tubes of mothers, amassed wealth in an illegal manner, or maintained links with a terrorist organisation.
Therafter, Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen was released on bail by the Kurunegala Chief Magistrate.(NewsWire)
