News
Supreme Court decides to take up FR violation petition filed by suspended outspoken doctor
By A.J.A. Abeynayake
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (14) decided to take up the case filed by Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa against being suspended from duty for revealing that there is a high prevalence of malnutrition in Hambantota. Dr. Sanjeewa is the Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights.
The case was taken up before justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Janak de Silva. Dr. Sanjeewa was represented by Sri Lanka Bar Association President Saliya Peiris, PC. However, the court dismissed a request by President’s Counsel Peiris to lift the suspension against Dr. Sanjeewa. The case will be heard from 07 March.
Counsel Peiris said that his client had declared that there was a high prevalence of malnutrition in an area in Hambnatota after a scientific study. It was just to restrict Dr. Sanjeewa’s right for expression through an establishment code, Peiris said.
The lawyer said that by suspending him, the Ministry of Health and the Public Service Commission had violated Dr. Sanjeewa’s fundamental rights.The petitioner has named Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwelle, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Janaka Sri Chandragupta and 21 others as respondents.
The petitioner has demanded Rs. 10 million as compensation and his reinstatement in a position that befits his education and professional qualifications and experience.Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa in September said that 80% of children in a village in Suriyawewa were malnourished.
“A similar situation prevails in most parts of the Hambantota District. Health administrators must visit rural areas, conduct studies and find solutions to the problems of the people. If immediate steps are not taken our children will be in serious trouble,” he said after conducting a study.
Dr. Sanjeewa added that they conducted a research in Walsapugala, Suriyawewa, and that the area had a substantial population. Given that the particular village was a good representation of the Hambantota District, one could assume that a similar situation prevails in all districts, he said.
“Things have really deteriorated during the last six months. Parents say that they only have work twice or thrice a week. They can barely afford to pay for electricity. Once they pay their bills, they can only buy rice, coconut and the most basic food items. They can’t afford eggs, meat or fish,” Dr. Sanjeewa said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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