National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa has denied having accused Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen of the Kurunegala Hospital of forced sterilization of women.
MP Weerawansa clarified that he had only called for an investigation raising concerns on the matter as a public representative.
“We never raised allegations against Dr. Shafi. It was the then Hospital Director and some mothers being treated at the hospital who levelled allegations. The mothers made complaints to the Hospital Director who thereafter, filed an official complaint. Dr. Shafi was arrested based on the Hospital Director’s complaint,” the MP said.
MP Weerawansa revealed that as public representatives he and his team had visited the hospital to find out the truth about the allegations, adding “We enquired from the Hospital Director and the concerned mothers in this regard.”
The NFF Leader went on to note that based on the statements of the Hospital Director and the concerned mothers, he had made a statement to the media calling for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
“We have no right to conclude whether the doctor was guilty or not. We are not specialists. We only have the right as public representatives, to investigate claims made by official authorities,” he explained.
Stating that investigations into the forced sterilization matter have not concluded, MP Weerawansa added that it is still unsure whether the allegations are true or not, while Dr. Shafi has also been re-instated at the hospital.
MP Wimal Weerawansa made the statements during a recent television talk show, responding to questions raised on his actions at the time the allegations were raised against Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen.
In 2019, Dr. Sihabdeen was sent on compulsory leave and was arrested over allegations of the alleged sterilization of women without their consent. He was also accused of having amassed wealth illegally and maintaining links with a terrorist organization.
Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen was released on bail by the Kurunegala Chief Magistrate after the Criminal Investigation Department informed the Court that investigations carried out so far had not proven any of the allegations. (Newswire)