Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Seneratne has called for a ‘comprehensive investigation’ into the death of 19-year-old Sachini Sewwandhi, who died while receiving post-operative treatment after a heart transplant at the Kandy General Hospital.

Addressing the media at the Cabinet press briefing today he said hospital authorities were yet to ascertain the cause of the death although initial investigations revealed she suffered from high bloods pressure to the lungs.

Sachini Sewwandhi was the second patient to undergo a heart transplant at Cardiothoracic Unit of the Kandy General Hospital and doctors told the family the operation – using the heart of a clinically dead youth – had been successful.

The death of Sachini Sewwandhi has come as a surprise to many including the hospital authorities but Health Minister and Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Seneratne said there was no reason to suspect foul play.

The Minister had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of Sachini Sewwandhi’s death in order to offer closure to the grieving family and exonerate the team of specialist that worked to give Sachini a new lease on life.