Health Ministry directs to pay Dr. Shafi’s salary arrears

The Ministry of Health has given instructions to pay the salary arrears of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen who was sent on compulsory leave from May 24, 2019, over allegations of performing illegal sterilization operations.

This was conveyed in a letter directed to the Director of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital by the Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr. S. H. Munasinghe on Dec. 06.

Accordingly, Dr. Shafi will be paid the arrears of his salary for the period he was sent on compulsory leave.

Dr. Munasinghe has also called for an explanation from the Kurunegala Hospital Director as to why Dr. Shafi was not paid his salaries for that period despite the fact that the Establishments Code clearly stipulates how to proceed with regard to an official sent of compulsory leave. 

This directive follows an appeal made by Dr. Shafi in January last year from the Public Service Commission which subsequently instructed the Health Ministry to pay the relevant salary arrears, the health ministry’s secretary explained.

He further noted that Dr. Shafi was not reinstated in his position.

Dr. Shafi had meanwhile filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition seeking an order declaring his arrest and detention unlawful.