Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa underwent an angiogram this morning to assess her condition and identify any blockages, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing, Jayatissa said a medical board would review the test results and determine whether she required surgery or another form of treatment.
“No surgery was performed at that point. Only an angiogram was carried out,” the minister said.
He said the medical board would decide whether Rajapaksa required coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the insertion of a stent or another suitable treatment.
Although there are long waiting lists for both CABG procedures and stent insertions, the Colombo National Hospital would provide the necessary treatment promptly, based on the medical board’s recommendations and taking the circumstances into account, Jayatissa said.
Earlier today, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered prison officials to immediately verify reports that Rajapaksa was undergoing open-heart surgery at the Colombo National Hospital.
The order followed representations by lawyers appearing on her behalf, who told the court that Rajapaksa had suffered a sudden heart related illness while in prison on Oct. 12 and had subsequently been admitted to the hospital’s cardiac surgery unit. (Newswire)