While denying any involvement with organ trafficking or the smuggling of organs, the Western Infirmary Hospital has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the Health Ministry’s decision to temporarily suspend organ transplant surgeries at the hospital.
Founder and Chairman of Western Infirmary Hospital, Prof. Rezvi Sheriff, and Western Infirmary Hospital filed this petition seeking an order in the nature of a writ of mandamus compelling the Director General of Health Services to permit the performance of the surgeries already approved at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal’s two-judge bench, comprised of Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola, issued an order directing the Director General of Health Services to look into the wellbeing of two kidney patients who were originally treated at the Western Hospital. This petition is to be taken up for support on January 16.
Prof. Rezvi Sheriff said he was instrumental in performing the first ever kidney transplant in Sri Lanka in October 1985 and has performed over 1000 kidney transplants on patients.
The petitioner further states that all kidney transplants undertaken by the Western
Hospital procedures are undertaken following clear, transparent, and established legal procedures.
The petitioner stated that the entire incident, including the kidney racket and the extortion of money, was in pursuance of an orchestrated, manipulative media agenda.
The petitioner states that following the Easter Sunday bombings, his infirmary has on multiple occasions been targeted by numerous fallacious allegations, which have thereafter come to nought.
The petitioner reiterated that the hospital at all times followed all guidelines and procedures established by the Ministry of Health and has only ever performed kidney transplants.
transplants upon approval being granted by the Ministry.
