Court queries beauty doc’s media statement

The Prisons Chief and the CCD have been directed to investigate how Dr. Kevin Nimal Gamage, who was remanded in connection with the death of a lady doctor, had told a newspaper that he would continue operating his clinic after he was released from prison.

Colombo Additional Magistrate A.M. Sahabdeen said the doctor’s statement had set a bad precedent and observed that the rights of a person while in remand were restricted and was not permitted to make statements to the media as he wishes.

When the inquiry into the doctor’s death was taken up yesterday, Bambalapitiya OIC Vajira Dhanapala informed that neither the Government Analyst nor the specialist surgeons had submitted their reports on the clinic.

He said the Police wanted to further identify the drugs that had been allegedly used by the doctor in the clinic and asked Court to permit them to inspect the clinic with the help of specialists in that field.

Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe PC appearing with Nishada Gamage and Nanda Gunaratne for the suspect said his client was duly registered with the Medial Council to practise cosmetic surgery.

He said a plastic surgeon had complained against his client but the Medical Council had issued the licence on the basis that the suspect was qualified to practice cosmetic surgery.

Mr. Ranasinghe said his client would not interfere with the investigations and as such to release him on bail.

Counsel Wasantha Pitigala appearing for the deceased doctor’s husband said the licence issued to the suspect by the US Government had been suspended. He alleged that the suspect had conducted the surgery knowing the patient would die.

Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe PC appearing with Nishada Gamage and Nanda Gunaratne for the suspect said his client was duly registered with the Medial Council to practise cosmetic surgery

He cited the decision of the Yangalmodera bus-train accident to buttress his argument.

Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe PC with Nishada Gamage instructed by Nanda Gunaratne appeared for the suspect. Counsel Wasantha Pitigala with Malin Fernando and Pavithra N. Bolapage watched the interest of the victim’s husband.

The Magistrate reserved his bail order for September 3.