The Colombo High Court has directed the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to submit a report on any disciplinary action taken against Dr. R.P.K. Chandana, following allegations that he submitted a questionable medical certificate claiming former minister Johnston Fernando was unfit to attend court due to “severe back pain.”
High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne issued the order yesterday (23), amid growing concerns that the medical report, issued in September 2024, may have been fabricated to delay court proceedings.
The case against Fernando and two former Sathosa officials, Eraj Tyronne Fernando and Khaja Mohideen Mohamed Shakir, was filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
It alleges that, while serving as Minister of Cooperative and Internal Trade from 2010 to 2014, Fernando used Sathosa employees for political work, causing a financial loss of nearly Rs. 12.9 million to the state.
During Sunday’s hearing, the defence cross-examined a former coordinating officer to Fernando, A.M. Wijerathna. The trial was adjourned to 30 July, with the next witness summoned to appear on that date.
Controversy erupted after a medical certificate submitted to court in September 2024 stated that Fernando was too ill to attend due to lower back pain.
However, a subsequent court order revealed inconsistencies. A letter submitted by Dr. Chandana—on plain paper, not hospital letterhead—claimed he examined Fernando “by holding his hand and checking his pulse,” adding that he had known him personally since childhood and serves as the family doctor.
This raised further questions, as the hospital’s Director had earlier been ordered to confirm whether Dr. Chandana was employed at the facility where the certificate was purportedly issued.
The document did not clarify his affiliation with any department.
CIABOC Deputy Director General Ganga Heiyanthuduwa requested the court to investigate the matter further, citing potential interference with judicial proceedings.
The court has now tasked the SLMC with clarifying the doctor’s conduct and any steps taken regarding the matter.
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