No Mention Of Allegations, Bellana Accorded ‘Safe Exit’ From Blood Bank

JULY 11, 2018

The Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine has removed Dr Rukshan Bellana from the position of Director, National Blood Transfusion Services with effect July 10, 2018.

Dr Rukshan Bellana and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne

Allegations of wrongdoing by Bellana and complicity on the part of the Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne as well as the involvement of the minister’s brother, let to trade union action that brought the institution to a standstill for the first time in its 68 year history.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Health in a letter to Bellana has informed him that he has been transferred to the ministry ‘as a temporary measure’ on account of ‘administrative needs’. The letter (reproduced below) does not offer any other reason for this ‘temporary transfer’ and has no mention of any official inquiry into the allegations which led to the crisis in the ‘Blood Bank’.

Bellana secured his current quasi appointment thanks to the practice of the Ministry of Health in not making permanent appointments to keep plush positions ‘warm’ for individuals who would be pliant and aid and abet corrupt high-ups.

Colombo Telegraph has so far exposed three accounts of administrative and massive financial irregularities committed by Bellana to which Rajitha Senaratne and his brother are complicit.

The Government Medical Officers Association in a press release dated 5th July 2018 has detailed stark administrative, financial and professional violations committed by Bellana.

Colombo Telegraph reported how Bellana has been a consistent violator of the law of the country, Establishment Code and the SLMC code of ethics, engaging in defamation, intimidation and forging the signatures of the officers of the state while he is also accused of of sexual misconduct and harassment.

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