Medical professionals concerned about effects of Emergency Law

COLOMBO (News 1st); Senior Medical Professionals have issued a statement, underlining that they were concerned about the possible undesirable effects of a state of emergency. 

The senior medical professionals state that they directed a letter addressing all Parliamentarians requesting them not to approve the emergency laws in the Parliament, however, their request went unheeded.

It can be observed that the full force of the emergency regulations being applied mainly to punish and silence the Aragalaya activists, the medical professionals state.
 
"We wish to reiterate our initial position that the uprising which appeared to be concentrated in the Galle Face was in fact the culmination of the widespread discontent of all sectors of the population throughout the country against the economic difficulties brought on mainly by the corrupt political system pervading Sri Lankan society,

"Aragalaya activists are the genuine apolitical representatives of the oppressed people suffering various hardships in their day to day life, transcending all racial, religious and other barriers which the self-serving politicians have been gleefully exploiting for their own sustenance over the years. A few politically aligned groups may have joined in later, but their questionable activities should not be an excuse to devalue the genuine intentions of the large numbers who initiated the protests or the millions who converged on Colombo or gathered elsewhere in the country to show their discontent." the statement read.
 
Accordingly, the senior medical professionals have joined with all other organisations, civil society groups and peace loving general public in vehemently condemning the current campaign of intimidation, arbitrary arrests and harassment of the activists conducted by a President with no moral legitimacy and backed by a Parliament that has long lost the people's mandate to govern.

The medical professionals have also brought to the notice of the rulers that their declaration of a state of emergency and abusing the same to suppress the peaceful expression of public discontent is already having severe adverse repercussions in the international community whose cooperation is eagerly sought to assist Sri Lanka out of the dire economic situation affecting the people. 

"We note with much concern that the Fitch rating agency has stated already that despite the superficially apparent strength in the parliament, the government has no stability or credibility among the people," the statement mentioned.
 
Thereby, the medical professionals have demanded as a matter of extreme urgency that the rulers immediately withdraw the state of emergency and apply the normal laws of the country which are quite adequate to deal with any alleged offences. 

"We dread to think of the repercussions including mass protests that could be triggered with possible bloodshed if the government does not change the current path of confrontation with malicious action. As responsible citizens we shall not watch idly if Sri Lanka is pushed into turmoil by state sponsored violence," it added.

The senior medical professionals who directed the letter are as follows:
 
Dr. Nilmini Abeygynawardhana, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry
Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare, Emeritus Professor of Surgery
Dr. Deshan Adhihetty, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Dr. Naomali Amarasena, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe - Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Navoda Atapattu, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist
Prof. Piyusha Atapattu, Professor in physiology
Dr. Chathurini Ariyarathna. Consultant Neonatologist
Dr. Deleepa Banagal, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. B Balagobi, Consultant Urological Surgeon
Prof Shyama Banneheka, Professor in Anatomy
Dr. Harshini Bentharawithana, Consultant Physician
Dr. Miyuru Chandradasa, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Amila Chandrasiri, Consultant Community Physician
Prof. Madava Chandrathilaka, Professor in Medical Education
Prof. Enoka Corea, Chair Professor of Microbiology
Prof. Lanka Dassanayake, Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva, Consultant Physician
Dr. Aruna de Silva, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Darshani De Silva, Consultant Anesthetist
Dr. Gihan Indika de Silva, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Sarath de Silva, Consultant Paediatrician
Prof. Piyanjali de Zoysa, Professor in Psychology
Dr. Neelika Dissanayake, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Asunga Dunuwille, Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Dr. Ramya Ediriweera, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Amitha Fernando - Consultant Respiratory Physician
Prof. Dinithi Fernando, Professor in Physiology
Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Nimali Fernando - Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Jerard Fernando, Consultant Radiologist
Dr. Roshan Fernando, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Sanjeewa Garusinghe, Consultant Neuro surgeon
Dr. Kishara Gunarathne, Consultant Neurologist
Dr. Deepa Gunasekara, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry
Dr. Dammika Gunawardena, Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Rohan Gunawardena, Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Prof. NK Gunwardena, Senior Professor Medical Parasitology
Dr. Vindya Gunasekara, Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist
Dr. Nishantha Gunasekera, Consultant Neurosurgeon
Dr. Kalyani Guruge - Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Rasika Gunapala, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Mahanama Gunasekara, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Pavithra Godamunne, Senior Lecturer in Medical Education
Dr. Zacky Haniffa, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Wathsala Hathagoda, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Upul Hapuarachchi, Senior Lecturer in Anaesthesiology
Dr. Ganga Hapuarachchi, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. BV Hasheni , Consultant Physician
Prof. Rasika Herath, Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology  
Dr. Anura Hewageegana, Consultant Nephrologist
Dr. Manjula Hewageeganage, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Dr. Amila Isuru, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Jayathri Jagoda, Consultant Rheumatologist
Dr. Ajith Jayasekara, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Krishantha Jayasekara, Consultants Physician
Dr. PLS Jayawardena - Consultant Clinical & Radiation Oncologist
Prof. Ranil Jayawardana, Professor in Nutrition
Dr. Anura Jayawardana, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. BAD Jayawardana, Consultant Peadiatric Surgeon
Dr. Nirukshan Jayaweera , Consultant Neurosurgeon
Dr. Eresha Jasinge, Chemical Pathologist
Dr. Viraj Jayasinghe, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Indira Kahavita, Consultant Dermatologist
Dr. Apeksha Kariyawasam, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Eranda Karunadasa, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. Ajith Karunaratne, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Prof. Indika Karunathilake, Professor in Medical Education
Prof. Anuradhani Kasturirathna, Professor in Community Medicine
Prof. Indira Kitulwatte, Professor in Forensic Medicine
Dr. Wasantha Kodikara Arachchi, Consultant Physician
Dr. Suresh Kottegoda, Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Dr. Bimal Kudavidanage, Consultant Neuro Anaesthetist
Dr. Ananda Lamahewage, Consultant Peadiatric Surgeon
Dr.Iresha Mampitiya, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Dr. M.K.L.Manjula, Consultant Histopathologist
Prof. K Muhunthan, Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Prof. Lalitha Mendis, Emeritus Professor of Microbiology
Dr. Ruwan Nanayakkara, Consultant JMO
Dr. Priyanthi Palihakkara, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Manjula Peiris, Consultant Surgeon
Dr. B J C Perera Consultant Paediatrician
Prof. Jean Perera, Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Dr. Nilupul Perera, Consultant Neurologist
Dr. Ruwanthi Perera, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr. Channa Perera Consultant JMO
Dr.Gihan Piyasiri, Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Bhagya Piyasiri, Consultant Microbiologist
Dr. Risintha Premaratna, Consultant Community Physician
Dr. Chandrika Ponnamperuma, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Gayani Punchihewa, Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. MK Ragunathan, Consultant Physician
Dr. MBF Rahuman, Consultant Cardiologist
Prof. Senaka Rajapakse, Chair Professor of Medicine
Prof. Ajith Rathnaweera, Professor in Forensic Medicine
Dr. Pyara Ratnayaka, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist
Dr. R. Ragunathan, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr. Krishan Silva, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. Shehan Silva, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Medicine
Dr. Darshana Sirisena, Consultant Neurologist 
Dr. Ganaka Senaratne, Consultant Physician
Dr. Nipunika Senadhera, Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Dammika Senavirathna, Consultant Transfusion Physician
Dr. Sriyani Samaraweera, Consultant Dermatologist
Dr. Buddhika Somawardana, Consultant Heamato-Oncologist
Prof. Samanmali Sumanasena, Professor in Peadiatric Disabilities
Dr. Nayana Samarasinghe, Consultant Radiologist
Dr. Jayajeewa Sugathapala. Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. K T Sundaresan, Senior Lecturer / Consultant Physician
Dr. Samadara Sripali, Consultant Oncologist
Dr. Chaturi Suraweera, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry
Dr. Dimuthu Thennakoon, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Wimalasiri Uluwattage, Consultant Physician
Dr. Shanika Vitharana, Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Dhammika Vidanagama, Consultant Microbiologist
Prof. Jithangi Wanigasinghe, Professor in Peadiatric Neurology
Prof. Sudarshani Wasalathanthri, Professor in Physiology
Dr. Sunil Wathudura. Consultant Physician
Dr. Kumudu Weerasekera, Consultant Paediatrician
Prof. Tilak Weeraratne, Senior professor of Medicine
Prof. MC Weerasinghe, Professor in Community Medicine
Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Consultant Physician
Dr. Lakmini Wijesooriya, Consultant Microbiologist
Prof. Senani William, Professor in Haematology
Dr. Kapilani Withanaarachchi, Consultant Peadiatrician
Dr. Chandana Wikramarathna, Senior Lecturer in Pathology
Dr. Darshana Wickramasingha, Consultant Microbiologist
Dr. Sampath Withanawasam, Consultant Cardiologist
Dr. Saman Yasawardena, Consultant ENT surgeon