Amputation of student's hand:

Report out in three days

Nadira Gunatilleke

Achala Priyadharshani’s arm was amputated following alleged medical negligence.

The report on the preliminary investigations in connection with the amputation of the left hand of the female law student will be released in the next three days. Further investigations will be conducted if required. Those found will be punished, Health Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilleke said.

Addressing the press in Colombo, Dr Jayatilleke said investigations must be completed before arriving at a conclusion.

"Investigations are being conducted by a three member panel of senior specialist surgeons headed by Medical Services director Dr Lal Panapitiya," he said.

Dr Jayatilleke said all nerves in the law student's hand, which was amputated, had died.

"This can happen due to five main reasons. The reason for this will be found out through the investigation. The team had been informed to complete preliminary investigations within two weeks," he said.

Dr Jayatilleke said state hospitals treat around five million in-house patients annually without any fees.

"The majority return home after recovering completely," he said.