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| Sunday, 1 February 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Post-mortem reveals Ven. Soma Thera died of natural causes The cause of the Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera's passing away once again took centre stage when the magisterial inquiry into his death resumed hearings at the Magistrate's Court in Negombo on January 26. by Alex David, Negombo special correspondent
Dr. Samarasekera said that after receiving the Government Analyst's report, the medical team had unanimously decided to reveal the cause of death as being due to an acute Myo-Cardial Infarction resulting from the presence of a blood clot in the left coronary artery that leads to the heart. He said the Government Analyst had also reported that there was no trace of any toxic substance in the deceased's monk's body. A Medical Bulletin (clinical-notes) received from Russia, in the Russian Language, which was translated by one of the doctors at Ragama Dr. Samarasekera said and indicated that Ven. Soma Thera had developed a chest pain while on his flight and had on arrival checked in at St. Petersberg City Hospital on October 11, 2003. After an angiogram a stent had been inserted into the blocked artery. An Electrocardiograph (ECG) taken later had shown the heart to be normal not necessitating any surgery. The Ven. Soma Thera the report had stated, had been treated earlier at the Intensive Heart Care-Unit, Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre and was later transferred to St. Petersberg City Hospital on December 3rd 2003, to decide on whether it was necessary he should have an angioplasty or by-pass surgery. A letter written by the late monk to his relatives had stated that he developed chest-pains when he walked a distance of 500 metres. On December 12, 2003 when a Russian heart specialist attended on the monk at 5.15 am (Russian time) the Ven. Soma Thera he had developed breathing difficulties and chest pain and had been sweating profusely. His hands and feet had been cold. An ECG report had indicated Ven. Soma Thera's condition to be very poor and had shown signs of Acute Myo Cardial Infarction. With the help of anaesthetic cardiolgenic massage (electro-shock), C.P.R. resuscitation administered for 1 1/2 hours had proved futile. Ven. Soma Thera had passed away by 7.55 am (Russian time) on that day. Dr. Samarasekera said that to avoid putrefaction or decomposing of the head (face), an incision had been made under the neck to drain out waste and blood clots and to enable these body parts to be soaked in formaline. The rest of the body had also been soaked in formaline. He said that on the request of the Venerable Maharagama Dharmasiri Thera of the Maharagama Bhikkhu Training Centre, Ven. Soma Thera's body had been handed over for cremation.
Senior Superintendent of Police Jagath Keenawinna led evidence. Attorney Deepal Perera appeared for the key witness Sisira Jayasekera, Editor of Jana Viyaja newspaper, who was involved in sponsoring the Ven. Soma Thera's visit to Russia. The case was put off for February 10, 2004. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Judicial Medical Officer Ragama North Hospital Dr. Ananda Samarasekera
(50) giving evidence before Negombo Magistrate Mrs. Kanthie Wanigasekera
said he had, on the orders of Gampaha Magistrate Saman Wickramarachchi,
conducted the post-mortem examination on the late Ven. monk on December 18
2003, from 9.45 am to 2.15 pm. He had been assisted by five other doctors
selected by him. He was cross-examined by President's Counsel Daya Perera.
At this stage Daya Perera PC who watched the interests of the late monk
cross-examined the witness as to how the findings of the post-mortem
examination report had been released to the 'Ravaya' paper, BBC and other
media, through a member of the medical team appointed by him. In reply,
Dr. Samarasekera handed over to Court an original copy of the statement
sent to the Ravaya paper for correction, but which had not been published.
However he said he had no control over other media.
