NHSL Deputy Director Dr. Bellana rescued after hostage drama

The Deputy Director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Rukshan Bellana was rescued a short while ago by the Police Anti-Riot Squad after being held hostage for six hours.

A tense situation arose at the NHSL in Colombo this evening as supplementary medical staff protested against Dr. Bellana.

Eyewitnesses said that the Police had brought a person covered in a blanket giving the impression that they were taking Dr. Bellana away. As the staff surrounded the person brought Dr. Bellana was whisked away from another entrance.  

The protest against the Deputy Director came after Dr. Bellana’s harsh criticism of the strike actions carried out by a collective of seventy two health sector trade unions over pay disparities.

However, health trade unions halted their strike on Wednesday (14) after Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana agreed to a discussion with them.

To beef up the security of the hospital grounds, Army Personnel had been assigned in addition to the Police Anti-Riot team.

Pix by: M.A. Pushpa Kumara