April 27, Colombo (LNW): The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has issued a prohibition order against four individuals, barring them from entering or remaining in the vicinity of examination centres today (27), as the Ministry of Health conducts competitive recruitment examinations for supplementary health service courses.
The court action followed a request by the Officer-in-Charge of the Maradana Police Station, who reported credible intelligence indicating plans to stage a protest intended to disrupt the examination process.
Police stated that there were concerns the demonstration could dissuade or intimidate candidates intending to sit the exams, which are crucial for recruiting graduates into key health sector roles.
Those named in the court order include M.N.M. Nustri, co-convener of the Allied Health Science Graduates’ Union, Nandun Dasharika Hewapathirana, secretary of the union, Madushan Chandrajith, convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), and Ravi Kumudesh, chairman of the Joint Council of Supplementary Medical Professionals.
Under the court’s directive, these individuals are forbidden from entering the Colombo hospital square within the Maradana Police Division and from engaging in demonstrations or protest marches that could obstruct pedestrian access along major roads such as Deans Road, De Saram Road, Kinsey Road, and Regent Street. This measure specifically seeks to prevent disruptions to the operations of hospitals and medical facilities located in these areas.
The order also extends to prohibiting loitering or staging protests in front of two of the designated examination venues — the School of Nursing Colombo and the Post Basic College of Nursing — during examination hours, which run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that the competitive examination, organised by its Examinations Division, is being held across four locations: the School of Nursing Colombo, Post Basic College of Nursing, College of Nursing in Kandana, and the Castle Street Hospital for Women.
The tests are scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. and are critical for filling vacancies in the roles of Medical Laboratory Technologists, Radiographers, and Physiotherapists within the public healthcare sector.
Candidates were notified through mailed admission cards ahead of the examination date, with the Ministry emphasising the importance of maintaining order to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the process.
