Galle Magistrate Isuru Netthikumara has directed the Director of Karapitiya National Hospital to appoint a medical board consisting of three expert forensic doctors to conduct a post-mortem examination and report the cause of death to the court regarding a woman who died after undergoing surgery at a private hospital in Karapitiya.
The deceased has been identified as Sewwandi Ilamperuma (46), a mother of one and resident of Mipawala, Galle. The initial magisterial examination was carried out by Magistrate Netthikumara.
According to reports, the woman was first admitted to Queensbury Private Hospital in Himburala, Karapitiya, with abdominal pain. An obstetrician-gynecologist there diagnosed her with an ovarian cyst and recommended the removal of her uterus. She subsequently underwent surgery.
After being discharged, the patient returned home but fell ill again the following day and was readmitted to the same private hospital. However, she did not meet the original surgeon. Instead, other doctors at the hospital treated her and instructed that she be given a K.C.L. injection.
The patient’s condition worsened after the first dose was administered by a nurse, and despite further treatment by the hospital’s resident doctor and two other specialists, her health deteriorated further. She was then transferred in critical condition to Karapitiya National Hospital, where she died on the 23rd.
Following her death, the woman’s husband complained to the Galle Human Rights First Aid Office. Acting on the advice of Liaison Officer S. Irosha, the complaint was forwarded to the Galle Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), which has since launched an inquiry. Statements have already been recorded from hospital authorities, the nurse who administered the injection, a resident doctor, and another specialist.
However, the specialist who performed the initial surgery has not yet provided a statement to the police as of yesterday (23). Galle Police Headquarters confirmed that further investigations are underway and that efforts are ongoing to locate the doctor.
The post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted tomorrow (25) at Galle National Hospital by a panel of specialist forensic doctors.
