A doctor of Sri Lankan origin at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children has been charged with possessing and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, police say.

Dilan Dissanayake, 44, of Toronto, Canada, was arrested and charged Tuesday, Toronto police said in a news release.

Police said in the release that its internet child exploitation unit launched an investigation after a person allegedly used an electronic device to access and download child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

In February 2026, police carried out search warrants at the hospital and at a private home, seizing several electronic devices, including a work computer.

“At this time, investigators have found no evidence that the child sexual abuse and exploitation material is connected to his practice as a physician,” police said in the release.

Dissanayake was due to appear in a Toronto courtroom on Tuesday. The charges against him have not yet been tested in court.

In a statement posted to its website, the hospital said it is “deeply upset and dismayed” by the news and it condemns the behaviour alleged by police. It said the safety and well-being of its patients, families and staff is its highest priority.

“SickKids has not been notified of any risk to patients and families, and the Toronto Police Service has indicated there is no evidence that the charges are connected to Dr. Dissanayake’s medical practice,” the hospital said in the statement.

Dissanayake was placed on immediate leave once the hospital became aware of the investigation, it said.  

The hospital said families of patients who received care from Dissanayake can contact its patient relations team with any concerns.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police. (CBS)

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The Ministry of Health has suspended a senior medical officer at the Trincomalee District General Hospital following revelations of negligence linked to the deaths of infants during childbirth.

According to the Independent Television network (ITN), the suspension was ordered last Friday by the Health Ministry Secretary after a preliminary investigation uncovered serious lapses in duty. 

The inquiry was launched in response to the Government Medical Officers’ Association announcing a strike on April 9, citing the tragic incident of infant deaths.

Investigators found that on April 9, at around 8.45 am, a newborn at the hospital’s maternity ward was in distress. Although a resident midwife raised the alarm, proper medical attention was not provided, and official responsibilities were neglected. 

The probe revealed that the mother’s suffering was prolonged, complications were allowed to develop, and even when patients were admitted, adequate care was not given.

Further findings showed that the doctor failed to participate in the delivery, leaving no opportunity to prevent complications. Despite the mother showing symptoms such as fever and cold, medical intervention was lacking. 

The Health Ministry noted that similar irregularities in duty had been observed in the past, and these were highlighted in a letter issued by the Secretary.

The Ministry confirmed that disciplinary steps were taken following the misconduct. 

The doctor at fault has been identified as a specialist serving as the President of the Government Medical Officers’ Association at the Trincomalee District General Hospital. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Medical Council has issued a notice urging medical professionals to adhere to the official guidelines on writing and recommending prescriptions. 

The Council emphasized that these guidelines are essential to ensure clarity and patient safety.

According to the statement, complaints have been received from pharmacists and the public regarding unclear prescriptions issued by certain doctors. Such a lack of clarity has made it difficult to identify the correct medication, posing a threat to patient safety.

The Council noted that the ethical conduct guidelines for medical professionals include specific instructions on how prescriptions should be written and recommended. These details are outlined in the official code of practice.

The Sri Lanka Medical Council further warned that disciplinary action will be taken against doctors who fail to comply with these guidelines. (Newswire)

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A recent investigation into the Ministry of Health has revealed that 705 government medical officers who vacated their posts owe the State a total of Rs. 1,156 million, while another 116 officers owe Rs. 119 million, bringing the total outstanding amount to over Rs. 1.27 billion.

The figures were revealed in a special audit report into the medical officers who had vacated posts and attachments of foreign-trained specialist medical officers.

Foreign-trained specialist doctors have failed to fulfill their service obligations under government bonds, with recovery of dues progressing slowly, the report said. Some officers have not returned to serve after overseas training, despite signing agreements with the Health Ministry.

The Health Ministry has been urged to recover the outstanding amounts promptly and to enforce disciplinary and legal measures against defaulters to ensure accountability within the public health service. (Newswire)

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Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa informed Parliament today that no decision has been taken to remove the car pass stickers provided to doctors and lawyers. 

Addressing the house, Minister Jayatissa said no such decision has been taken by the government, including the Department of Motor Traffic and Police.

He further said the car passes are provided to identify doctors as well as to provide them with easy access to hospitals. 

“The government does not expect to remove any such identification document,” he added. 

The Health Minister made the remarks in response to a question raised by Opposition MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena. (Newswire)

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A doctor and his father, accused of preparing 19 fake gift deeds to acquire property belonging to others, were arrested yesterday (25), according to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The individuals taken into custody are a father and son duo, aged 28 and 63, residing in the Makola area.

The arrests followed investigations conducted by the Commercial Crimes Division of the CID, based on a complaint received.

The suspects are scheduled to be presented before the court. (Newswire)

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The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced it will launch a trade union action from Monday (25 Aug) in protest against alleged irregularities in the transfer of doctors by the Health Ministry.

In a statement, the GMOA accused ministry officials of ignoring the Health Minister’s directives and acting arbitrarily in preparing annual transfer lists, including post-intern and difficult service placements. 

The union said nearly 10,000 doctors have been left without proper placements, while 134 difficult service posts have been removed without approval.

The GMOA said it had temporarily suspended earlier trade union action after the Health Minister agreed to rectify the process, but ministry officials had failed to implement the agreed decisions. 

Emergency branch meetings will be held tomorrow, with the central committee scheduled to convene in Colombo on Monday to decide further steps, the GMOA added. (Newswire)

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A doctor who was indicted before the Anuradhapura High Court for sexually assaulting a 25-year-old single mother who had come to his medical centre to remove a previously implanted intrauterine device (IUD) has been found guilty.

According to the Mawbima newspaper, High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam sentenced the accused doctor to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The High Court Judge also ordered the convicted doctor to pay Rs. 1.5 million as compensation to the 25-year-old single mother. If the compensation is not paid, the doctor will be sentenced to an additional three years of imprisonment, the judge warned.

In addition, High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam further ordered the convicted doctor to pay a fine of Rs. 100,000, warning that if the fine is not paid, he will be sentenced to another year of imprisonment.

While delivering the sentence, High Court Judge Dr. Nalin de Hewawasam stated that the prosecution had succeeded in proving the charges against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, the High Court Judge declared that the accused was found guilty of the charge of sexual assault brought against him. The sentence was delivered during a re-summoning of the legal proceedings related to this criminal incident before the Anuradhapura High Court.

The doctor sentenced to rigorous imprisonment is a 70-year-old resident of Thisawewa, Anuradhapura. He was previously arrested by the Anuradhapura Police, presented before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court, and later released on bail.

Court proceedings revealed that the offence was committed at the private medical centre operated by the accused in the Thisawewa area of Anuradhapura on or around January 20, 2020. The accused had previously served at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and Ranaviru Hospital.

It is reported that this marks the first time in the history of a court in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province that such a severe prison sentence has been handed down to a doctor for a criminal offence. (Newswire)

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Prosecutors in Berlin charged a doctor with 15 counts of murder on Wednesday, alleging that he administered lethal doses of medication to palliative care patients. 

The now 40-year-old doctor, who worked in the palliative care team of a nursing service, is alleged to have acted out of malice and other base motives.

What do we know about the case?

According to the public prosecutor’s office, the doctor is alleged to have killed a total of 15 patients cared for by the nursing service between September 2021 and July 2024.

The man allegedly administered an anesthetic induction drug and then a muscle relaxant to his patients without medical necessity or their knowledge and consent. The latter was said to have led to paralysis of the respiratory muscles, resulting in respiratory arrest and death within a few minutes.

In some cases, the suspect allegedly set fire to his victims’ homes to cover up his actions.

The victims were reportedly between 56 and 94 years old.

The accused has been in custody since August 2024 and has not yet commented on the charges. Prosecutors are seeking a lifelong professional ban for the suspect who had been active as a medic in several German states.

During the course of the investigation, the public prosecutor’s office also ordered exhumations with investigations reportedly still ongoing in some cases. An investigative team is also evaluating the doctor’s patient records for more evidence.

The man — not officially named in line with German privacy laws — initially came under suspicion over four deaths last year, after he allegedly torched the victims’ homes.

The death toll could still rise, even after investigators uncovered more possible victims dating back to 2021. (DW)

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The main suspect in the rape of a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been identified by the victim.

The victim doctor had identified the suspect during an identification parade before Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya.. 

The identification parade had taken place at the official quarters of the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate today. 

The female doctor was raped inside her official quarters at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital after being held at knife-point by the suspect on 10 March.

Following the incident, the man had escaped along with a mobile phone belonging to the female doctor.

The man was arrested in the Galnewa area the following day, with the Police being able to locate him by tracking the stolen mobile phone. 

The incident had sparked outrage, with the medical fraternity staging a token strike over the incident. (Newswire)

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The suspect who was wanted for allegedly raping a female doctor inside the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital premises has been arrested.

The Police said the suspect was arrested in the Galnewa area today. 

The man is accused of threatening the female doctor with a knife and allegedly raping her, while she was on night duty on Monday night.

The incident had sparked outrage, with doctors at the hospital staging a strike demanding the immediate arrest of the suspect.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) had also announced a nationwide one-day token strike from 08.00 am today in protest against the brutal sexual assault. (Newswire)

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The retirement age of government doctors has been extended to the age of 63 years, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced.

Addressing the media today, Minister Jayatissa said that the retirement age of government doctors has been extended, including for those who were set to retire on December 31.

He explained that the original retirement age of government doctors was 65 years, but the former government had reduced it to 60 years in 2022. 

Minister Jayatissa said, however, that the incumbent government has decided to extend the retirement age to 63 years and Cabinet approval has been granted in this regard. (Newswire)

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathiraja has ordered the arrest of a doctor accused of performing an illegal abortion at a private hospital in Colombo, Mawbima newspaper reported. 

The order follows an investigation by Dematagoda Police into allegations that a woman aborted a foetus older than seven weeks without her husband’s knowledge. 

The woman who allegedly aborted her foetus had been arrested after a complaint was lodged by her husband, a resident of Colombo 14.  

Previously court had ordered that all suspects involved in the case be arrested and produced before the court. 

The doctor who allegedly performed the abortion had received Rs. 30,500 for the procedure, the court was informed. 

Investigations into the incident are ongoing while the suspect woman has been remanded. (Newswire)

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A female doctor has been arrested on charges of having allegedly stolen dry rations worth Rs. 5000 from a supermarket.

According to media reports, the Kiribathgoda Police arrested the doctor in Makola on Monday (Aug 19).

She was seized by the security officials at the supermarket when she attempted to leave the supermarket with a Rs. 1700 tea leaves packet. 

After being handed over to the management, supermarket officials inspected her bag and found three chocolates, a milk powder tin, and a packet of sausages. 

The female doctor, who is attached to a state hospital in the area and is a 54-year-old resident of Kelaniya, had been handed over to the Kiribathgoda Police. 

During investigations, it was also found that she had a history of having stolen things belonging to the hospital management. 

The woman was produced at the Mahara Magistrate’s Court after which she was released on a surety of Rs. 200,000. (Newswire)

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A road in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi has been named after an 84-year-old doctor with Indian roots as a tribute to his significant contributions to the country’s health sector.

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has named a road in Abu Dhabi after Dr George Matthew to recognise his contributions as part of its “Honouring UAE’s Visionaries: Commemorative Streets” project, which aims to honour individuals who have greatly contributed to the nation’s development.

The road near Sheikh Shakbooth Medical City in Al Mafraq will now be known as George Matthew Street.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr Matthew said, “When I first arrived in the UAE, the infrastructure was still evolving.

Inspired by the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the Nation, I dedicated myself to helping the people. I am deeply grateful that my efforts have been recognised.” Dr Matthew arrived in the UAE in 1967 at the age of 26. Initially preparing to move to the US, he was persuaded by a missionary friend’s description of Al Ain’s beauty to stay.

His application for a position as Al Ain’s first government doctor was successful, leading to the opening of the first clinic under Sheikh Zayed’s blessing.

Starting his service as a General Practitioner, Dr Matthew, affectionately called Matyous (Emirati pronunciation of Mathew) by the locals, witnessed and contributed to the growth of modern medicine in the UAE.

He held several key positions, including Medical Director of Al Ain Region in 1972 and Health Authority Consultant in 2001. His contributions significantly advanced healthcare services in the emirate and promoted a modern medical culture in the country.

Dr Matthew went to England to learn management of tropical diseases, and later to Harvard for specialised studies in hospital management.

His commitment to education and professional development has been instrumental in shaping the healthcare landscape of the UAE. He played a vital role in educating and training healthcare workers, and his dedication earned him the trust and admiration of his colleagues and the community.

Known for his dedication and expertise, Dr Matthew has been a valuable source of medical knowledge for the Al Ain community.

In recognition of his service, the UAE granted Dr Matthew and his family citizenship 10 years ago.

Dr Matthew continues to work in the Private Health department alongside Dr Abdul Rahim Jaafar, another leading healthcare expert in the country.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr Matthew said, “I am ready to do whatever I can for the country and its citizens as long as I live. I pray that God will give me more time to serve.” Dr Matthew grew up in Thumpamon, Pathanamthitta, in Kerala, and graduated with an MBBS in 1965 from Trivandrum Medical College.

He moved to the UAE with his wife, Valsa, after their marriage. Their daughter also works in the government sector. (PTI)

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A 28-year-old man was arrested for abducting and holding hostage a doctor in the Hikkaduwa area yesterday.

The Police said that based on a tip-off, the doctor was found at a house in the Thelwatta area in Meetiyagoda.

The suspect, a resident of the Thelwatte area, was also apprehended by the Police. 

The doctor has been handed over to the Hikkaduwa Police for safety reasons. 

Investigations have revealed that the abduction had taken place due to a financial dispute. 

The Hikkaduwa and Meetiyagoda Police are conducting investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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A luxury SUV worth over Rs. 80 million that had been illegally brought down to Sri Lanka, depriving the government of a large amount of tax, has been taken into custody by the Walana Police. 

The SUV had been seized while it had been concealed at the residence of a businessman in Kurunegala with the intention of selling it using forged documents. 

A prominent Doctor based in Colombo is reported to have brought down the vehicle that was manufactured in Japan in 2020. 

The vehicle was found after a tip-off received by the Walana Police on attempts to sell it for a lesser amount. The Walana Police had seized the vehicle after its Police officers had been on patrol duty for several weeks in the Kurunegala area.

Investigations have revealed that the Colombo- based doctor had sold the vehicle to a businessman in Kurunegala, who in turn had concealed it at the residence of another businessman in Kurunegala. 

The SUV had initially been registered at the Motor Traffic Department using the name of another businessman, who had revealed while questioning that the vehicle was not in his possession. 

Police investigations have found that the second owner of the vehicle  was an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Employment, while investigations have been launched into how he had been named as the owner. 

The Police state it is suspected that the documents related to the vehicle and documents stating that income tax has been paid are fake.

The Police also suspect that the Colombo doctor had brought this car to Sri Lanka by preparing false documents with the help of someone from Sri Lanka customs and it was falsely registered under the names of others with the help of Someone from the Motor Traffic Department.

Police investigations have been launched to apprehend those involved in this incident. (NewsWire)

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The body of a doctor attached to the Thambuththegama Hospital has been recovered from his official quarters.

The Police stated that it is suspected that the doctor may have died a few days earlier. 

The doctor who is reported to have died under suspicious circumstances has been identified as a 35-year-old resident of Chilaw.

The Thambuththegama Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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The Bambalapitiya Police have arrested a doctor on charges of attempted murder after having administered excess medicine to his wife.

The Police stated that a woman from Layards Road in Colombo 05 had been admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital in an unconscious state.

The Bambalapitiya Police had launched an investigation based on a complaint claiming that the illness was suspicious.

Doctors who had examined the woman revealed that she had fallen ill due to excess insulin having been administered to her.

Further investigations had revealed that the excess medicine had been administered by the woman’s husband after which he had been arrested yesterday.

The man has been identified as a 33-year-old resident of Layards Road, Colombo 05 and a doctor attached to the Trincomalee Government Hospital. 

The syringe used to administer the medicine has been found at the suspect’s residence, while it has also been found that he had administered the medicine a few days ago. (NewsWire)

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A doctor attached to the Badulla Hospital has been arrested with 145 capsules which are suspected to be narcotics.

The Police stated that the doctor was arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF)  yesterday (14).

The doctor was arrested on information that he had been selling narcotic capsules to school children and youths via his private medical practice in the Mylagastenna area in Badulla.

The Badulla Police has taken into custody the stock of capsules which are suspected to be narcotics as well as the doctor’s vehicle.

The Police stated that the suspect will be produced before the Badulla Magistrate’s Court today (15). (NewsWire)

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