Shiranthi Rajapaksa to undergo heart surgery at National Hospital, court informed

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s lawyers informed the court today that she is currently scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery at the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Accordingly, the court ordered prison authorities to submit the relevant reports to the court, said Ada Derana reporter.

The case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa over alleged financial irregularities involving the ‘Siriliya Saviya’ account was taken up today (13) at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Shiranthi Rajapaksa was not produced before the court for the hearing, said Ada Derana reporter.

President’s Counsel Anil Silva, appearing on behalf of the defendant, informed the court that Shiranthi Rajapaksa had suffered a sudden heart attack yesterday (12) while in prison custody and had been admitted to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo.

He further submitted that she was scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery today.

Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the prosecution, stated that although the accused had been admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo yesterday, prison officials had not received any information indicating that she was to undergo heart surgery.

Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate instructed prison officials in open court to immediately verify whether Shiranthi Rajapaksa was to undergo open-heart surgery and to report their findings to the court.

During the proceedings, the Magistrate pointed out that the report submitted by prison officials only indicated that she had been admitted to Ward 61 of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. It contained no information regarding her medical condition or whether she was undergoing surgery, he said.

The case proceedings were subsequently adjourned until 2:00 p.m. today, pending the submission of the relevant report.