• Files FR challenging Health Ministry Secretary’s decision

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

The doctor who sent out a public warning on malnutrition among children in Suriyawewa yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights in Supreme Court challenging the Health Ministry Secretary’s decision to interdict him from service by violating his Fundamental Rights. 

The petitioner, Dr. Galmangoda Guruge Chamal is seeking an order quashing the recommendation of the Health Ministry Secretary to interdict him from services as reflected in the letter dated October 25, 2022. 

The petitioner states that on or around September 19, 2022, in his capacity as the President of the ‘Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors’ visited Walsapugala Koswagawa village in Suriyawewa in Hambanthota District to conduct a medical clinic for children in order to check their nutrition levels, health. 

The petitioner states that on conducting the survey, he observed that out of the 20 children whose clinic cards were observed, about six children were at severe malnutrition levels and about 10 children were at moderate malnutrition levels in the weight chart of the Child Health and Development Record. 

The petitioner further said that at this juncture, he has come to understand that certain media outlets had embellished the statement made by him in their respective newspapers and TV channels. 

The Doctor states that a letter dated 03.11.2022 preferred under the hand of the Secretary to the Ministry of Health indicates that a preliminary inquiry had already been conducted by the Ministry of Health, and accordingly it has been found that the Petitioner has acted in breach of section 31:1:15 of the Establishment Code. 

The Petitioner states that actions or decisions of the Health Ministry and Public Service Commission are discriminatory, arbitrary, irrational, illegal and violative of equality and equal protection of law and Principles of Natural Justice. This petition had been filed through Attorney-at-law Praveen Premathilaka.