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Experts’ report tomorrow on Achala’s amputation
View(s):The report of the Expert Committee which inquired into the circumstances which led to the amputation of the hand of a law student is likely to be submitted tomorrow.
Achala happy to have her mother with her
The Expert Committee has indicated that the report is likely to be handed over to me tomorrow (Monday), Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilake said when contacted by the Sunday Times. Medical Services Director Dr. Lal Panapitiya assisted by a top-level three-member committee of surgeons inquired into the circumstances that led to the left-hand amputation of 23-year-old W.K. Achala Priyadharshani of Urubokka.
The committee of surgeons comprised Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Narendra Pinto and Consultant Senior General Surgeons Dr. Sarath Collure and Dr. D.G.N. Ratnasena.
Achala who fell down the stairs in her home on January 17 had first been taken to the Heegoda Peripheral Hospital where splints were placed and then on to the Matara Hospital where a Plaster of Paris cast had been put on her left hand as there was a fracture. Later she had been transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo where her hand had to be amputated on January 23 as gangrene had set in and her life was in danger.
Both Achala and her brother, W.K. Dharshana Tillekeratne, told the Sunday Times that Achala was sent to the NHSL from Matara after her fingers turned blue.
Achala is in the final-year at the Law Faculty of the University of Colombo and students have launched a campaign titled ‘Hand for Achala, Justice for Negligence’ to collect funds to get her a functional hand as well as to seek justice.
Meanwhile, Achala’s mother returned from Lebanon, where she works. Achala said she was thankful to the Government for assisting in bringing her back early as possible.
Newspaper articles moved inmates to make sacrifice
Inmates at the Welikada prisons decided to raise funds for the artificial hand of Achala Priyadharshani after being moved by the newspaper reports about her plight, Prisons Commissioner General P.W. Kodippili told the Sunday Times.
He said the prisoners collected Rs. 239,000 by refraining from taking their meals and instead donated that money towards the cause. Mr. Kodippili said some 4,000 prisoners gave up their meals to raise funds.
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