Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara was only acting as Medical Research Institute (MRI) director, State Minister Sudharshini Fernandopulle told Parliament yesterday.
She said he stepped
down from the post as the Director had returned to the country upon completion of his training programme.
Dr. Fernandopulle said Dr. Bandara had been acting as the head of the MRI while the doctor who had been abroad was undergoing advanced training programme. “The doctor who was undergoing a training programme was the director appointed to the MRI by the Public Service Commission. In his absence Dr. Bandara was acting on his behalf. Now the director has returned so the acting director has to leave.There is no issue, it was only standard procedure.”
SJB Kurunegala District MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena, demanded to know from the government the reason for the transfer of Dr. Bandara. “Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, is now stating that not even the Health Minister was aware of the transfer of the head of the country’s premier research institute functioning under the Health Minister. That has become a serious issue.We want to know what is happening. In addition, the number of PCR tests being conducted as decreased drastically while the COVID-19 is on the rise. The COVID-19 second wave is more dangerous than the previous. In such a context, how could the government justify this transfer?”
Prime Minister Rajapaksa responded by saying that the question should have been referred to Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi who was not in the Chamber at that time. In the absence of the health minister, State Minister Fernandopulle responded.
