By: Isuru Parakrama
March 11, Colombo (LNW): An alleged rape of a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has ignited widespread outrage across Sri Lanka, prompting a strike by doctors and fierce debate in Parliament.
The shocking incident took place on Monday (10) night within the doctors’ quarters, where the victim was reportedly en route to her on-call duty room.
The suspect, identified as an army deserter by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, allegedly threatened the doctor with a knife before assaulting her inside her duty room.
Addressing Parliament today (11), Minister Wijepala revealed that five police teams have been mobilised to hunt down and apprehend the perpetrator, who remains at large.
The attack, described as unprecedented in recent times within a hospital setting, has led to doctors at the facility downing tools, demanding swift justice for their colleague.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa condemned the incident in a passionate parliamentary speech, highlighting the vulnerability of female doctors in public hospitals and questioning the safety of those in public service.
He urged the government to act decisively, pledging the opposition’s support for tougher legislation to punish such “barbaric acts” with severity.
Meanwhile, Health and Media Minister Nalinda Jayathissa issued a statement appealing to all media outlets to protect the victim’s privacy and refrain from revealing her identity, stressing the importance of sensitivity in covering the case.
As the police investigation continues, pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver justice amid a growing national outcry over the brutal assault at one of Sri Lanka’s prominent state hospitals.
