Medical rights activists have filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission alleging that health and public administration secretaries have no right to issue circulars or conduct biassed disciplinary investigations, violating the constitution.

Dr Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Union of Medical and Civil Rights Physicians, has made this complaint against the Health Ministry Secretary and the Public Administration Ministry Secretary.

They were complaining about recent circulars issued by the Ministry of Health and the secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration restricting government officials’ right of speech. According to those circulars, even the casual use of social media was taboo for government officials.

Dr GG Chamal Sanjeeva, the President of the Union of Medical and Civil Rights Physicians, citing the constitution, has pointed out to the Human Rights Commission that corporate circulars or corporate codes cannot restrict the right of speech of the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Before launching an investigation, the Human Rights Commission decided to consult the secretaries of the ministries.

In addition, Alliance Secretary Jayaruwan Bandara and President Dr Chamal Sanjeeva filed another complaint alleging that the Health Ministry’s Emergency Raid Unit conducts biassed and partial disciplinary investigations. This too has been taken into consideration by the Human Rights Commission.