Alleged racial slur and death threats on Sampathnuwara medical staff Two medical officers withdrawn from services; SL Army to hold inquiry

• The incident has happened two-three days ago
• Similar to the military, there’s a hierarchy when it comes to the healthcare sector

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) recently issued a letter highlighting the behaviour of Brigadier K. K. S. Parakum who has allegedly visited the Sampathnuwara District Hospital and has spoken to two medical officers in derogatory language.  

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, GMOA’s Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that the incident has happened two-three days ago. “We informed the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health as well as the Army Commander requesting this officer to apologise to the medical officers. This is not the first instance that this Brigadier behaved in this manner. We want it in writing to ensure that such an incident will not be repeated again.”  

He further said that similar to the military, there’s a hierarchy when it comes to the healthcare sector as well. “There had been a request to handover the Sampathnuwara District Hospital to the Army but the Regional Director Health Services has said that the request should officially come from the MOH Secretary. The Mullaitivu RDHS is a Tamil individual and this Army officer has allegedly used words like ‘terrorist’ in Sinhala.”  The GMOA had written to Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva on October 26 and as mentioned in the letter, the two officers have been withdrawn from their services as a trade union measure. “We have discussed with the Ministry and they have agreed to work in a separate centre until the issue is rectified.” Asked about holding a strike, Dr. Aluthge responded in the affirmative.  

When inquired, Weli Oya District Secretary Deepal Nishantha said that he was unaware of the incident.  
However Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva told the Daily Mirror that the Army will hold an inquiry regarding the incident and that certain information circulating regarding this matter is false. 

• The Army will hold an inquiry regarding the incident