Controversial JMO Dr Ruhul Haq sent on compulsory leave

Consultant Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), Dr. Ruhul Haq, who has been embroiled in controversy for defying a suspension imposed by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), has been sent on compulsory leave, it is learnt.

Informed sources told Daily Mirror that the Health Ministry's letter informing the SLMC of this decision was received on the 17th, but the specific reason for the compulsory leave was not clearly stated in the letter.

Nevertheless, the decision has been made based on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission.

Furthermore, Daily Mirror also learns that the controversial JMO is also to be reinstated tomorrow (20).  

Dr. Ruhul Haq has faced criticism for his controversial and contradictory postmortem reports in cases such as Dinesh Schaffter's, the death of a three-year-old child following kidney surgery at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, the death of a five-year-old girl at a private hospital in Colombo in 2013, and a worker's death due to suspected food poisoning at the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in 2014.

As a result, the JMO was initially suspended for eight months, starting from December 20, 2022, with the suspension supposed to end on August 20. However, despite the suspension, he has continued to perform significant postmortems over the past six months. (Sheain Fernandopulle)