Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne noted that it was him who had submitted the Cabinet paper to seek approval to allow the controversial doctor, who had tendered his resignation, to return to the Kurunegala Hospital.
A Kurunegala Teaching Hospital doctor was arrested over allegations that he had acquired a large number of assets through suspicious means.
He pointed out that no prior complaints were received regarding the doctor concerned. Senaratne further stated that they will appoint a special investigative body to look into the allegations against the doctor. This committee will be appointed by the Health Ministry, comprising three members of the Ceylon College of Gynaecologists and one member from the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).
The media would have abstained from giving the same coverage if the arrested person was a Sinhalese surgeon, Senaratne said.
He made these remarks while attending a press conference held at the Temple Tress on Monday.
Speaking on the allegations made against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, Minister Senaratne said that the government has appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into the conduct of Minister Bathiudeen and added that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will also open their investigations for the general public in order to maintain total transparency.
The Health Minister stated that Bathiudeen had not forced the Army Commander to release the suspects and said that the Army Commander himself had earlier admitted that Bathiudeen had only made a request.
Senaratne underscored that it was the previous regime that nurtured Zahran and his subordinates. He added that it was under former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks Zahran Hashim and 26 others of the National Thowheed Jama'ath were paid, incidentally from the same bank account.
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