Mannar Sinhala medical officers demand security

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 January 2006, 16:15 GMT]
Ten Sinhalese medical officers working in the Mannar general hospital left for Colombo Tuesday evening stating that they would not return for work until their security is guaranteed. Their action follows the grenade attack on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sentry located in the premises of the hospital which killed a SLA soldier, health department sources said.

About fifteen medical officers work in the Mannar general hospital. Of them ten are Sinhala medical officers, health sources said.

These Sinhala medical officers were scheduled to meet the Director General of the Health Services in Colombo Wednesday evening around 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, top health department officials from Colombo are reported to have contacted the Bishop of Mannar to use his good office to ensure security for these medical officers in the Mannar hospital, sources said.