Image: Protest against brutal police behaviour by professionals and lawyers on 11th Oct on the same venueu.
Media Statement.
It is with shock and dismay that we, a group of medical professionals in Sri Lanka, witnessed the inhuman manner of crowd handling by certain police officers at the Galle Face Green on the evening of 09th October 2022. This unlawful behaviour by police officers violates the fundamental rights of our citizens including children. Furthermore, we believe this incident would tarnish the country’s image which is already battered internationally, and would eventually affect all the citizens of this country. There will be inevitable repercussions on the tourism sector that the country is desperately trying to reactivate.
We vehemently condemn the deplorable behaviour of certain police officers involved in the incident on 09th October, including those who stood by and watched the unlawful incident unfold.
The gathering on this particular day was to commemorate ‘Aragalaya’ and was not causing any obstruction to others or damage to public property. The gathering was of citizens exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to dissent.
The unlawful behaviour of the police officers has been clearly documented on video, and demonstrates their complete lack of understanding and disregard for the most fundamental laws of this country. In fact, such ignorance and/or willful disregard only goes to prove that they are not suitable to be members of a service that is
entrusted to uphold the law of the land with equity and without prejudice.
Their behaviour brings deep disrepute to the police service, and we can only surmise that it has been on orders of superiors or handlers. We urge the President and the Government to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation and take action against the police personnel who behaved in this unlawful and unacceptable manner as well as against those who issued the orders that enabled them to act with impunity.
Additionally, as responsible medical professionals, we strongly recommend that all police personnel are provided clear and up-to-date training regarding psychological and ethical aspects of their behavior both in the short term and long term, which can cause sometimes irreversible consequences to themselves and the society.
While acknowledging that all citizens, including children have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly, we advice parents to reconsider taking children to Galle Face Green or any other places where crowds gather, as this unlawful, uncivilized and irresponsible behaviour of some police officers can continue and the children may be at risk of physical and long-lasting psychological trauma.
The medical professionals for system change are deeply concerned about the escalating stateinstigated violence, directed at peaceful dissenters and call upon the government to immediately ensure that basic human rights enshrined in the constitution are protected.
We, the undersigned,
We, the undersigned,
Dr. Nilmini Abeygynawardhana, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry
Prof. Anuradhani Kasturirathna,
Professor in Community Medicine
Dr. Iyanthi Abeywickrama, Consultant Venereologist
Prof. Indira Kitulwatte,
Professor in Forensic Medicine
Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare, Emeritus
Professor of Surgery
Dr. Wasantha Kodikara Arachchi, Consultant Physician
Prof. Suneth Angampodi,
Professor of Community Medicine
Dr. Suresh Kottegoda, Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Dr. Asela Anthony, Consultant Family Physician and Senior lecturer
Dr. Bimal Kudavidanage, Consultant Neuro Anaesthetist
Dr. Deshan Adhihetty, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Prof. Sanath P Lamabathusooriya, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics
Dr. Naomali Amarasena, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Dilusha Lamabadusuriya, Consultant Physician
Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe – Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Ananda Lamahewage, Consultant Peadiatric Surgeon
Dr. Navoda Atapattu, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist
Dr. Roshan Liyanage, Consultant Physician
Prof. Piyusha Atapattu, Professor in physiology
Dr. Prasanna N. Liyanage, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Prashantha Attapattu, Consultant OMF Surgeon
Prof. Ajith Malalasekera, Professor in Urology
Dr. Chandana Atapattu, Visiting Lecturer
Dr. Iresha Mampitiya, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Dr. Chathurini Ariyarathna. Consultant Neonatologist
Dr. M.K.L.Manjula, Consultant Histopathologist
Dr. Deleepa Banagala, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Upali Marasinghe, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. B Balagobi, Consultant Urological Surgeon
Dr. Upul Charminda Bandara Madahapola, Consultant Sports and Exercise Physician
Prof Shyama Banneheka, Professor in Anatomy
Dr. Nayani Madarasinghe, Consultant Dermatologist
Dr. Harshini Bentharawithana, Consultant Physician
Dr. Buddhi Mohotti, Consultant Physician
Dr. Eranda Cabral, Medical Officer
Dr. M.R. Mubarak, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Miyuru Chandradasa, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Indika Mudalige, Consultant Psychiatrist /Senior Lecturer
Dr. Damitha Chandradasa Consultant Paediatrician
Prof. K Muhunthan, Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Dr. Amila Chandrasiri, Consultant Community Physician
Prof. Lalitha Mendis, Emeritus, Professor of Microbiology
Prof. Madava Chandrathilaka, Professor in Medical Education
Dr. Ruwan Nanayakkara, Consultant JMO
Prof. Enoka Corea, Chair Professor of Microbiology Dr. Priyanthi Palihakkara, Consultant Anaesthetist
Prof. Lanka Dassanayake, Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Dr. Manjula Peiris, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Savithri Dias, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Hemali Peiris, Medical Officer
Dr Jagath Dandeniya, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Dr. B J C Perera Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva, Consultant Physician
Prof. Jean Perera, Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Dr. Aruna De Silva, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Nilupul Perera, Consultant Neurologist
Prof. Harendra De Silva, Emeritus Professor of Peadiatrics
Dr. Ruwanthi Perera, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Darshani De Silva, Consultant Anesthetist Dr. Channa Perera Consultant JMO
Dr. Gihan Indika De Silva, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Gihan Piyasiri, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Rajitha Y De Silva, Cardiac surgeon
Dr. Bhagya Piyasiri, Consultant Microbiologist
Dr. Sarath De Silva, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Desa Priyadeva, Medical Officer
Prof. Piyanjali De Zoysa, Professor in clinical psychology
Dr. S.H. Piyasumana, MOH, Wellawaya
Dr. Neelika Dissanayake, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Risintha Premaratna, Consultant Community Physician
Dr. Varuna Dissanayake, Medical Officer
Dr. Chandrika Ponnamperuma, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Asunga Dunuwille, Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Dr. Gayani Punchihewa, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Ramya Ediriweera, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. MK Ragunathan, Consultant Physician
Dr. Amitha Fernando – Consultant Respiratory Physician
Dr. MBF Rahuman, Consultant Cardiologist
Prof. Dinithi Fernando, Professor in Physiology
Dr. Mangala Rajamanthri, Consultant Physician
Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, Consultant Paediatrician
Prof. Senaka Rajapakse, Chair Professor of Medicine
Dr. Nimali Fernando, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Anoja Rajapakse, Consultant Physician
Dr. Jerard Fernando, Consultant Radiologist Dr Sanjeewa Rajapakshe, Consultant Cardiolgist
Dr. Roshan Fernando, Consultant Psychiatrist
Prof. Sharman Rajindrajith, Professor of Peadiatrics
Dr. Colton Fernando, Medical Officer
Prof. Ajith Rathnaweera, Professor in Forensic Medicine
Dr. Shivantha Fernandopulle, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Pyara Ratnayaka, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist
Dr. Sanjeewa Garusinghe, Consultant Neuro surgeon
Dr. R. Ragunathan, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Kishara Gunarathne, Consultant Neurologist
Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Indrani Godakanda, Consultant Community Physician
Dr. Krishan Silva, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. Pavithra Godamunne, Senior Lecturer in Medical Education
Dr. Shehan Silva, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Medicine
Dr. Deepa Gunasekara, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry
Dr. Upul Silva, Consultant Physician
Dr. Dammika Gunawardena, Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Lahiru Senanayake, Medical Officer
Dr. Rohan Gunawardena, Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Dr. Ganaka Senaratne, Consultant Physician
Prof. N. K. Gunwardena, Senior Professor Medical Parasitology
Dr. Nipunika Senadhera, Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Vindya Gunasekara, Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist
Dr. Dammika Senavirathna, Consultant Transfusion Physician
Dr. Nishantha Gunasekera, Consultant Neurosurgeon
Dr. Sisira Seneviratne, Consultant JMO
Dr. Kalyani Guruge, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Kamal Seneviratne, Medical Officer
Dr. Rasika Gunapala, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Sriyani Samaraweera, Consultant Dermatologist
Dr. Mahanama Gunasekara, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Buddhika Somawardana, Consultant Heamato-Oncologist
Dr. Ianthi Gunasekara, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Medicine
Dr. Chandani Sooriyaarachchi, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr Hemantha Gunathilaka, Associate Specialist in Neurosurgery
Prof. Samanmali Sumanasena, Professor in Peadiatric Disabilities
Dr. Zacky Haniffa, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Nayana Samarasinghe, Consultant Radiologist
Dr. Wathsala Hathagoda, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Jayajeewa Sugathapala, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Kamal Hathlahawatta, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. K T Sundaresan, Senior Lecturer / Consultant Physician
Dr. Upul Hapuarachchi, Senior Lecturer in Anaesthesiology
Dr. Samadara Sripali, Consultant Oncologist
Dr. Ganga Hapuarachchi, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Chaturi Suraweera, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry
Dr. BV Hasheni, Consultant Physician
Dr. Dimuthu Thennakoon, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. A H A Hazari, Family Physician
Dr. Wimalasiri Uluwattage, Consultant Physician
Prof. Rasika Herath, Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Dr. Shanika Vitharana, Consultant Haematologist
Prof. Manjula Hettiarachchi, Professor in Nuclear Medicine
Dr. Dhammika Vidanagama, Consultant Microbiologist
Dr. Anura Hewageegana, Consultant Nephrologist
Dr Buddhika Vidanagama, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Manjula Hewageeganage, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Prof. Jithangi Wanigasinghe,
Professor in Peadiatric Neurology
Dr. Bimba Hewawitharana, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Gayani Walpola, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. J.S. Ishie, MO Diabetic Clinic
Prof. Sudharshani Wasalathanthri, Chair Professor of Physiology
Dr. Varuna Gunathilake, Consultant Physician
Dr. Loretta Warnakulasuriya, Medical Officer
Dr. Amila Isuru, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Indumini Waththegama, Assistant Medical Officer of Health
Dr. Jayathri Jagoda, Consultant Rheumatologist
Dr. Sunil Wathudura, Consultant Physician
Dr. Lalantha Jansz, Medical officer
Dr. Kumudu Weerasekera, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Z. Jamaldeen, Consultant Cardiologist
Prof. Krisantha Weerasuriya, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pharmacology
Dr . L. Jayamanne, Medical officer
Prof. Tilak Weeraratne, Senior Professor of Medicine
Dr. Ajith Jayasekara, Consultant Psychiatrist
Prof. M.C. Weerasinghe, Professor in Community Medicine
Dr. Krishantha Jayasekara, Consultants Physician
Dr. Chamin Weerasekera, Consultant Intensivist and Senior lecturer
Dr. Semaka Jayasekara, , Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. A. D. M. Jayasekara, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Namal Wijesinghe, Medical Officer- Anestheisa
Dr. P.L.S. Jayawardena – Consultant Clinical & Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Dilshan Wijesinghe, Pre-intern
Prof. Ranil Jayawardana, Professor in Nutrition
Dr. Swarna Wijethunga, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Anura Jayawardana, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. B.A.D. Jayawardana, Consultant Peadiatric Surgeon
Dr. Athula Wijesundera, Medical Officer, Health Education
Dr. Ranil Jayasena, Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Consultant Physician
Dr. Ashoka Jayasena, Consultant ENT Surgeon
Dr Saraji Wijesekara., Consultant Paediatric Neurologist .
Dr. Nirukshan Jayaweera, Consultant Neurosurgeon
Dr. Lakmini Wijesooriya, Consultant Microbiologist
Dr. Eresha Jasinge, Chemical Pathologist
Prof. Senani Williams, Professor in Haematology
Dr. Viraj Jayasinghe, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Kapilani Withanaarachchi, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Indira Kahavita, Consultant Dermatologist
Dr. Upul Wickramarachchi, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Apeksha Kariyawasam, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Sujeewa Wickramarachchi, Consultant JMO
Dr. Eranda Karunadasa, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Chandana Wikramarathna, Senior Lecturer in Pathology
Dr. Ajith Karunaratne, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. Darshana Wickramasingha, Consultant Microbiologist
Prof. Indika Karunathilake, Professor in Medical Education
Dr. Sampath Withanawasam, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Tanya Karunathilaka, Senior House Officer, Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Dr. Saman Yasawardena, Consultant ENT surgeon