The strike launched by doctors and staff at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, alongside the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), ended on the morning of 13 March. The protest began following the brutal sexual assault of a female doctor in her quarters on 10 March, an incident that quickly gained widespread attention on Sri Lankan social media.
The attack reignited national concerns over the safety of female workers, workplace harassment, and broader gender-based violence. Despite women comprising more than half of Sri Lanka’s population and playing a critical role in the economy, their struggles—both in Sri Lanka and abroad—persist. While such issues frequently make headlines, the government’s response often lacks concrete action.
Following the incident, the GMOA announced a token strike until 8:00 a.m. on 12 March, demanding the arrest of the perpetrator within 24 hours. By noon on 12 March, police announced an arrest in Galnewa. However, the GMOA refused to call off the strike, citing wider issues, including the need for stronger security measures for female health workers, increased safety provisions, and solidarity with the assaulted doctor.
As the incident gained traction, public sentiment largely supported the medical community. However, criticism also surfaced, with some urging doctors to find alternative methods of protest to avoid disrupting patient care. Before debates over the GMOA’s actions escalated, social media was already divided over calls for the death penalty for the perpetrator. While capital punishment remains legal in Sri Lanka, no executions have taken place since 1976, and over 1,000 individuals remain on death row. National People’s Power (NPP) MP Dr. Najith Indika later stated that his party does not support the death penalty.
Political and Social Media Fallout
The GMOA had initially planned a separate strike on 5 March over allowances affected by the budget’s proposed salary increase, but discussions with the minister led to its cancellation. However, this previous action resurfaced in discussions, with some accusing the union of leveraging the assault to push its own demands.
On social media, criticism intensified, with some posts attempting to discredit doctors. While the medical community sought to justify its stance, excerpts from GMOA speeches were widely shared—sometimes manipulated—to portray doctors negatively. A clear discrediting campaign emerged, similar to trends seen in previous controversies involving the medical profession.
Meanwhile, two prior cases of sexual abuse involving doctors resurfaced on social media—one involving a female doctor and another concerning an apparel sector worker. Critics also questioned doctors’ silence on the case of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen and their stance on allegations of fraudulent medicines being used on patients.
By the evening of 13 March, misinformation targeting the medical community had spread online. Some doctors’ responses appeared defensive and dismissive, further alienating sections of the public. While medicine is widely regarded as a noble profession, since early March, targeted content has sought to undermine the credibility of doctors, while the profession itself has struggled to communicate its grievances effectively.
Polarisation and Broader Societal Divides
The writer observed two notable Facebook posts by female doctors—one detailing poor working conditions at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and another expressing frustration over working through the strike. Another user, unaffiliated with the medical field, shared a positive encounter with a doctor in Embilipitiya, though their political affiliations suggested potential bias.
Sri Lanka has long been divided along ethnic and religious lines, but recent social media discourse has shifted towards deeper ideological and professional divides. The Easter Sunday attacks saw hostility directed at the Muslim community, while at other times, misinformation targeted Catholics and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Now, similar patterns are emerging against the GMOA, fueled by images circulating of its officials meeting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and other political figures. The union is now accused of being politically motivated against the NPP government.
The Anuradhapura incident is significant on multiple levels. The safety of healthcare workers, particularly those on night shifts or in hospital quarters, must be prioritised. Better security, improved working conditions, and safe transport options for female employees are necessary.
A recent parliamentary committee report revealed that Sri Lankan women traveling abroad—especially to the Middle East—often suffer due to government negligence. The lack of protections at home reflects a deeper, systemic failure.
Social media has become dangerously polarised, driven by populist sentiments rather than facts. Misinformation targeting GMOA officials is rampant, yet some responses from doctors have only reinforced perceptions of elitism, further deepening the divide between the medical community and the public.
Such divisions benefit no one—neither society, nor the medical profession, nor the country. These delicate issues should not be exploited for political gain. Addressing the widening gap between doctors and the public is critical, as is ensuring workplace safety for all employees—regardless of industry.
The government must take decisive steps to bridge these societal rifts. Beyond ethnicity, religion, or political allegiance, Sri Lanka’s core issues stem from broader socio-political fractures. If left unchecked, these divisions will continue to erode trust in institutions and weaken national unity. (MM)
