Man posts Liam Neeson's famous Taken quote on Facebook, ruins medical career
The University of Leicester medical school deemed Ravindu Thilakawardhana 'unfit to practice medicine'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A trainee doctor’s career has been scuppered after he posted a famous Liam Neeson quote from the film Taken on his Facebook page.
Ravindu Thilakawardhana, who was in his fourth year studying medicine at the University of Leicester, became furious when a fellow student posted explicit pictures of his friend onto the social networking site.
Mr Thilakawardhana retorted with a photo of the actor Liam Neeson accompanied by the words: “I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you,” the Leicester Mercury reports.
He later sent a private message to the student saying: “I don’t want to see you on a night out in Leicester, or in the UK.”
The student reported Mr Thilakawardhana to the medical school who reprimanded him, before deeming him “unfit to practice medicine”.
He was dropped from the medical course by disciplinary panel in April last year.
Mr Thilakawardhana appealed the decision to independent adjudicator and to London’s High Court.
An appeal hearing is due to take place this month, according to The Leicester Mercury.
His lawyer, Clive Newton QC, said Mr Thilakawardhana was sorry for his actions and claimed his punishment was severe.
Mr Newton said police had taken no action against Mr Thilakawardhana, and he believed the student who posted the explicit pictures in 2013, had "carefully planned revenge" by "targeting [Mr Thilakawardhana] future medical career".
The university’s decision was upheld by the judge, however, who ruled the panel were correct to conclude Mr Thilakawardhana's actions were “fundamentally incompatible with continuing on a medical course or even practicing as a doctor.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments