Ten complaints a day against sexual harassment at Health Ministry

Ridma Dissanayake

Health Ministry sources said they receive around 10 complaints a day of sexual harassment and other abuses against ministry officials and related institutions.

"Even married women have not been spared," the sources said. They said the victims do not complain fearing consequences.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena decided to establish Disciplinary Committees at the Health Ministry and all its affiliated institutions to record complaints against sexual harassment and other offences against women. "Sending sexually explicit text messages and harassment of women and young girls during duty hours occurs in serious proportions at state health institutions. The harassment even extends to women holding high posts.

Hence, Minister Sirisena advised Health Ministry and affiliated institution Heads to establish Disciplinary Committees in their institutions to take action against offenders," ministry sources said. Arrangements have been made to handover wrong doers to the Police following investigations. The Health Ministry launched a poster campaign to make the public aware of his issue and these have been exhibited at the Health Ministry and affiliated institutions.