Steps are being taken to pay the salary arrears and allowances to Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, the Attorney General informed the Appeals Court on behalf of the Director-General of the Public Service Commission.

A writ application filed by Dr. Shafi was taken up before Appeals Court Judges Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola.

Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawarshane conveyed this while producing a letter from the Director-General of the Public Service Commission in this regard.

The letter read that Dr. Shafi should be paid the basil salary arrears, cost of living allowance and interim allowances for the period during which he was on compulsory leave effective from May 24, 2019, over allegations of performing illegal sterilization operations.

Further proceedings pertaining to Dr. Shafi’s writ applications have been fixed for May 31.

Director of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Dr. Chandana Kendagamuwa, former director of the hospital Dr. A.M.S. Weerabandara, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr. S.H. Munasinghe and Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena have been named as the respondents of this petition.

Dr. Shafi had filed the writ application seeking a court order directing the respondents to pay him the salary arrears and allowances for the period he was on compulsory leave over false accusations.