Controversy has arisen over claims that Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe allegedly conducted a political meeting inside the Professorial Unit of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, affiliated with the Rajarata University’s Faculty of Medicine.
According to sources within the university community, the meeting reportedly took place on the night of Friday, April 18, between 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m., within the lounge of the Professorial Unit. It is further alleged that the lounge—normally kept locked—was opened for this meeting by a specialist doctor who also serves as a university lecturer.
Approximately fifteen lecturers from the Faculty of Medicine are said to have attended the gathering.
When contacted by Mawbima for a response, Minister Samarasinghe dismissed the allegations, insisting that no political meeting had taken place at the location in question. He firmly stated, “A government minister does not need permission to visit a government institution.”
He went on to challenge the source of the accusation to publicly identify themselves and present clear evidence. “I would like to know who is making these claims. If someone believes this is true, let them come forward and say so directly,” he added.
Minister Samarasinghe reiterated that no political activity had taken place within hospital premises and maintained that such meetings are not held in healthcare institutions.
The university community, however, has raised concerns. Since the founding of Rajarata University, student unions and staff have consistently objected to political figures conducting any form of discussion within university premises. In a notable precedent, Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, upon visiting the institution, had to relocate his official meeting outside the university grounds due to similar objections.
As of now, no official complaint has been made public, but the incident has sparked significant discussion within both academic and political circles.
