SLMC emergency meeting on Wednesday following grenade attack on headquarters

Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to decide on seeking security following Friday night’s grenade attack on its head office at Norris Canal Road, Maradana, said a senior SLMC officer.

The grenade flung into the SLMC premises, didn't explode, though its pin had been removed.

SLMC Registrar- Dr Terence Gamini De Silva told the Sunday Times that, on Friday (12) night, the Security Officer on duty, had seen an object being thrown towards the SLMC building, and heard it landing on the premises, but was unable to spot the object.

The Security officer found a live grenade with it’s pin removed, in a corner of the garden near the entrance, shortly after dawn yesterday.

The Govt must find the individuals responsible for this act and arrest them. The Police is also expected to extend their cooperation impartially and efficiently. Failing to do so would entail the Ministers being held responsible,” he said.

“Fortunately, the grenade did not detonate in the night, or else our SO could have been killed or, injured,” he said.

The Special Task Force bomb disposal unit deactivated the grenade.

A senior Police officer at the scene said they were checking CCTV camera footage, both of the SLMC and in the vicinity, while sniffer dogs were also involved An SLMC member- Dr Upul Gunasekara said the incident was only the latest of several previous attacks on the SLMC office, which were reported to the police, with no arrests made.

The Government Medical Officers Association Secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath said this incident occurred amidst threats by Ministers which would create an impression in people’s minds of the individuals responsible.

“The Govt must find the individuals responsible for this act and arrest them. The Police is also expected to extend their cooperation impartially and efficiently. Failing to do so would entail the Ministers being held responsible,” he said.

He said they have called for an emergency ExCo meeting on Monday (15) to discuss matters with regard to the incident.