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Sri Lankan army officer accused of racially abusing medics in Manalaru

A Sri Lankan army officer has been accused of racially abusing and threatening medical staff at a hospital in Manalaru. Brigadier K K S Parakum reportedly abused the head and medical staff at Sampathnuwara district hospital in Manalaru, the colonised area of Mullaitivu now known as Weli Oya.

Parakum is reported to have said in Sinhala: 'Bloody Tamil', 'I will kill you', 'this is my area', 'terrorists', 'Prabhakaran'.

Consequently, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) have been forced to withdraw the services at DH Sampathnuwara under the grounds of trade union measures and the safety of members.

On Wednesday, October 28, the GMOA complained in writing to the Minister of Health about the officer's “unacceptable behaviour”. They requested the ministry to take “necessary measures” to ensure the “safe working conditions of the institution and the best interest of the patients”.

Notably, a complaint had already been sent to Sri Lankan army commander and accused war criminal Shavendra Silva on October 26, but a response was not forthcoming.

After the GMOA's letter had been spread on social media on Thursday, Colombo Gazette reported that a military spokesperson had said the military is looking into the alleged incident.

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