The GMOA uploaded on its official website and Facebook page last evening, 17th April 2020 a document titled GMOA/ICTA COVID-19 Exit Strategy. The document, dated 4th April 2020 is a concept proposal with claims it was presented to the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This original document racially profiles Muslims in its research in an unethical and questionable methodology.
Padeniya and Gotabaya
Soon after it was uploaded, Dr Sanjeewa Weerawarana, a board member of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) denied any co-authorship of the document. In a personal tweet last night he claimed, “The whole idea of using Muslim population to make this decision is utterly preposterous and disgusting. I did go for one meeting with GMOA and the president along with ICTA Chairman Jayantha de Silva (and others). We were never shown this document nor did we consent to being co-authors of this document.”
The GMOA has since then replaced a new document removing ICTA and ‘Muslim Population’ from it.
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has sought a response as to how a study with a questionable methodology, using language that could lead to misunderstanding and conflict among fellow Sri Lankans could arise from a professional organization like the GMOA.
We publish below the Muslim Council letter in full:
18th April 2020
President
Dr Anuruddha Padeniya
Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA)
275, Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPASL) 75, Prof Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Col- 07
LETTER TO GMOA ON EXIT STRATEGY DOCUMENT
It has come to our urgent notice that a document titled GMOA/ICTA COVID-19 Exit Strategy was uploaded by the GMOA on its official website and Facebook page last evening, 17th April 2020. The document, dated 4th April 2020 is a concept proposal with claims it was presented to the Hon. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This original document racially profiles Muslims in its research in an unethical and questionable methodology (please see attachment for reference).
Soon after, Dr Sanjeewa Weerawarana, Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) board member denied any co-authorship of the document. In a personal tweet last night he claimed, “The whole idea of using Muslim population to make this decision is utterly preposterous and disgusting. I did go for one meeting with GMOA and the president along with ICTA Chairman Jayantha de Silva (and others). We were never shown this document nor did we consent to being co-authors of this document.”
Within hours of uploading it, the document was replaced removing ICTA and ‘Muslim Population’ from it. While appreciating the GMOA’s effort at making the change, this does not erase the fact that GMOA members may have been issuing insights from this document for the last two weeks and influencing public opinion and policy regarding the containment of the COVID-19 disease in Sri Lanka. This attempt to defame a government institution such as ICTA and the Muslim community at a time when there are tensions at all sides calls to question the intentions, integrity, and professional ethos of the GMOA and the medical professionals who co-signed the document.
The Ministry of Health issued guidelines on 2nd April to the media about racially profiling victims and urged them to “Report on COVID-19 in a positive manner so as to build cooperation and support among people in dealing with the disease.”
While we understand this is a research document, The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka would like a response as to how a study with a questionable methodology, using language that could lead to misunderstanding and conflict between fellow Sri Lankans could arise from a professional organization like yours. While continuing to appreciate the work of the GMOA, we hope there can be greater cooperation and understanding between the GMOA, other organizations and communities in Sri Lanka in future endeavours. MCSL would like to thank the GMOA for their important work during the COVID-19 crisis and the risk taken by many of its members who are front line workers.
Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to engage on matters relating to COVID-19 and others. 
Jehan / April 18, 2020
This what free education has given us, doctors who are paid with our money, being so racist, they will believe pure rubbish spewed by dumb weerawansa and gots.
The leaders of the organization are like nazi doctors in the time of Hitler, same like the ccp doctors who organ harvest from Fologong Buddhist and uiger Muslims. Same clothes if the environment is right, these beast will do the same thing.
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babalath appu / April 18, 2020
I am born buddhist as because my parents are buddhists.
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In any case I were born to a Muslim Or Tamil family I would be called a Muslim or Hindu accordingly.
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But i am telling you guys, If I were born MUSLIM I would not stay passive the way lankens muslims would hvae been… following that BRUTAL MURDER of RUGBY PLAYER – Wasim Thajudeen, whose murder was premediated and misterious only comparable with that of that Jamal Khashogi’s ended up in SAUDI embassy in Turkey 1.5 years ago.
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And Madhu madawa and other bps to have attacked the muslims to the manner they did after EASTER sunday killings – … would not be tolerated by me.. i would even sacrifice my life.. if the justice would not have been served to me… so please brothers and sisters, HIndus and Muslims and all others, please wake up .. fight for your rights…
CORONA viruses would kill us all equally… so as we all born to this land should be treated equally. BASTA
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John / April 19, 2020
Babalath appu you will be investigated for inciting hatred and promoting violence.
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sarrij / April 21, 2020
b a
Sensible write up. What the country needs are people like you with “balls”; not rubbish like GMOA, political hacks. BASTA.
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Amarasiri / April 18, 2020
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka,
“This attempt to defame a government institution such as ICTA and the Muslim community at a time when there are tensions at all sides calls to question the intentions, integrity, and professional ethos of the GMOA and the medical professionals who co-signed the document.”
What you see is the IMPLICIT racism of the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists “, EXPLICITLY stated in the GMOS document, using FAKE news, by accusing the Muslims for the Wuhan -China -19 virus, renamed COVID-29 virus, which the Govt. let in to the Country from The Chinese,
Expose, Expose and Expose, and say Wuhan China-19 virus.
This has nothing to do with Muslims. Everything to do with racism. To be EXPLICIT, Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhism”, aided and abetted by the state.
Expose, expose and expose.
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soma / April 19, 2020
Please don’t, Amarasiri aiya.
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Soma
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Amarasiri / April 20, 2020
soma Malli/Nangi,
Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists “ claiming to follow Buddhism, along with the Para-monks , are distorting Buddhism and insulting the Buddha, and the imbeciles, mean Measured IQ 79, prostrating to the monks have no clue, and claims that this is the Muslim virus, when the whole world knows, including the Chinese, that this is the Wuhan-China-19 virus,
//
Next time you prostrate, and give Dana, offerings, put your hands under, and pluck a couple of mangoes.
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Hamdhan / April 18, 2020
Everyone close to padeniya knows he is hell bent on becoming the health minister with the blessing of his master. So we can understand his itch to satisfy his master.
GMOA headed by padeniya has always shown its support to MR and co, be that the “vada pethi” issue, Dr shafi issue or strikes during yahapalanaya, it has always played its role to raise the favour the current government.
So this is just like hiru and derana, which broadcasts programmes raising racial tension.
Nothing can change this blood thirsty bastards…
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babalath appu / April 18, 2020
What is GMOA ?
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I thought it is the trade Union representing the MEDICOs and their problems in the country.
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What authority should they own right very critical situation fo the coutnry today?
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If I am not mad, the spcialists in CONTAGIOUS diesease/control should be the ones to be given the highest voice at this moment of the country. Then only anxities of the public would and could die down – and build the confidence to rebuild them for facing the crisis that we are fallen into today.
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But DONKEYS being the leaders, they dont seem to give the place for the due- come forward and express themselves – There are UNiversity dons that could do the job for the nation, if not they, the govt should seek aids fromthe international community this regard.
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I dont think NEURO PEDIATRICIANS could help a lot regarding the contagious diseases – if that is the perception, then, doctors instead of engineers should be the ones to build roads and constructions in this country. Carpentors should be the leaders to the road constructions… and lawyers and teachers should be inthe place of doctors in hopsitals.
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What cant THIS BASCIS be understandable to Rajapkshes ?
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Even my 10 old grand son would know that is not asking a lot !!!! is not that so ?
– I think our nation is even poorer than we think basta
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Buddhist / April 18, 2020
Of course what GMO wrote can never be excused. However, there is a positive side to it. Now the Muslims can vote “en bloc” to support SJB (Sajith’s party) and ensure that either Pohottuwa does not win the General Election or even if they win no 2/3 majority is obtained by them. Presently, even without majority and with no Parliament functioning we have seen the damage done by Mahinda- Pohottuwa-Gota team. We should never allow Pohottuwa to raise its head.
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JD / April 18, 2020
CT found a good word.
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JD / April 18, 2020
Moderate muslim politicians have talked about why unproportional number of muslim villages had to be qurantined. His opinion was, muslims get the news MOSTLY from the mosque and they do not listen to the major media or announcements. ARAB world has prohibited visiting Meccah, multiple times washing the body and some arab villages are not allowing burial of bodies in their village as contamination would be a problem. NOTE, THEY DO NOT ALLOW BURIAL BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATION in the future. But, Sri lankan muslims are simply behaving like children. So, authorities have to take precautions if it is to control a spreed of a killer disease.
There is no democracy or human rights with COVID-19. First people have to live before anything.
I saw sri lankan people are touching the coffin of the dead with hands in order to push it into the crematorium. There is a photo available arab relatives are pulling the coffin with a rope and a long wooden pole into an unusually deep pit to burry.
So, the SABOTAGING Academics, NGOs, PARLIAMENTARIANS (WE KNOW WHO), Trade Unions, and journalists should stop their bickering.
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Ashan / April 18, 2020
The Muslims have tolerated discrimination, have had their homes and businesses attacked, looted, and burnt, and have had their people killed in Mosques. The racists , sometimes led by saffron robed terrorists, who are supposed to preach no violence, but peace, have deliberately made the lives of the minority, pure hell. Innocent Doctors and Lawyers have been arrested on fake news deliberately spread by Derana and other racist media, and racists making up stories about charmed sweets, adding fuel to the burning fire. The Rajapaksa’s are mute.
How much can human beings endure the suffering, discrimination, hate speeches, and false accusations against them going on for years? It is due to these injustices, that radical extremists, will recruit, and try to stir up violence, resistance, and terrorism. Governments that ignore the discrimination, might be complicit in these attacks, and do not condemn racist attacks or speech crimes, either want a violence reaction from the minority, or simply are waiting for an excuse to wage a violent campaign against them citing terrorism, as the justification to do so. We see this going on in the Palestinian territories, Myanmar, and India, where thousands of innocent Muslims are being killed.
Has anyone heard ANY of our present leaders strongly condemn violence against the minority, and speak of unity, peace, and living in harmony, like good leaders should?
It should make all of us wonder why.
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sarrij / April 19, 2020
A.
The country has gone to the dogs. Sad!
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soma / April 19, 2020
Ashan
Did the Christians in this country discriminate against you in any manner?
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Soma
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Native Vedda / April 19, 2020
somass
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“Did the Christians in this country discriminate against you in any manner?”
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The Christians also a persecuted lot in this island, how can they discriminate against others, except against the depressed caste.
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soma / April 19, 2020
“The Christians also a persecuted lot in this island, how can they discriminate against others, except against the depressed caste.”
This helps me to estimate the degree to which minorities are persecuted.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / April 19, 2020
somass
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“This helps me to estimate the degree to which minorities are persecuted.”
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You got it wrong.
All born again Sinhala/Buddhist fascists have lost their ability to judge, estimate,guesstimate, gauge, …. anything and everything the day they first converted themselves to Sinhala/Buddhism and then to Sinhala/Buddhist fascism.
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Nothing will now help you to remain sane, sensible, …..
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Ashan / April 19, 2020
Soma, stick to the subject. You should ask those criminal terrorists that question, I had nothing to do with it, and neither did the majority of Muslims in this country, who have been peace loving, contributing to the progress of the country, and feeding the poor.
I hope you are intelligent enough to differentiate between terrorists, and the majority of innocent Muslims, who protested those tererorists and informed the government about them.
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soma / April 20, 2020
Ashan
“It is due to these injustices, that radical extremists, will recruit, and try to stir up violence, resistance, and terrorism.”
My question is relevant in the context of your above statement.
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Soma
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Ashan / April 20, 2020
In case you missed the point – I was referring to the Government, and the discrimination by the majority. Clear now? It seems you have some trouble comprehending.
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soma / April 21, 2020
Ashan
Yes, but why Christians? What injustice did THEY cause to the Muslims? Sure, I am unable to comprehend.
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Soma
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latha / April 19, 2020
Ashan
This is how a Muslim priest reacted after hearing Easter attack. He was on a visit to Mecca.
“I was very happy hearing this attack. Jihad is started.”
When this was published in media he asked asylum from Saudi Arabia but it was refused. Luckily he was arrested at the BIA air port. When father of two suicide brothers arresting he protested saying “don’t arrest me, if no’t there will be more blasts. Those bombers would have thought since they have used powerful explosives their bodies go into small pieces, so that nobody can identify them and it will keep as an unresolved secret forever. In Mawanella area another Muslim priest involved. Now they are crying minorities are discriminating. Can you say what Catholics in SL did to your community.
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Ashan / April 19, 2020
So you judge ALL Muslims because of one idiot?
Are we suppose to judge ALL Buddhists by what Gnanasara does?
After all his hate campaign resulted in the murders of Muslims in Mosques, homes and businesses attacked, burned and looted, and Muslims living in fear.
So far no Muslims have accused the Catholics of doing anything, you should ask that question from the terrorists who blew themselves up.
Are you trying to incite friction between the Muslims and Christians here?
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soma / April 19, 2020
Racial profiling?
Show me a photograph of a crowd and I will show you who are the Muslims.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / April 19, 2020
somass
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“Show me a photograph of a crowd and I will show you who are the Muslims.”
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As far as I am concerned I don’t even need a photograph to show you who the Sinhala/Buddhist bigoted fascists are.
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Sunil Abeyratne / April 19, 2020
Hello Native Vedda,
You at it again!!
You seem to have acquired specialist skills to spot Sinhala/Buddhist bigoted fascists just by looking at a photograph.
Truly remarkable!
CIA would be interested in your skills set.
CIA would assist you to extend your specialised skills that would allow you to identify a potential bomber by just looking at a photograph.
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Native Vedda / April 19, 2020
Sunil Abeyratne
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“You seem to have acquired specialist skills to spot Sinhala/Buddhist bigoted fascists just by looking at a photograph”
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Please reread what I said above:
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As far as I am concerned I don’t even need a photograph to show you who the Sinhala/Buddhist bigoted fascists are.
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Sunil Abeyratne / April 19, 2020
Hello Native Vedda,
Yes, I failed to read carefully what you had written!
Sorry about that.
What you have actually said is indicative of the possession of skill levels greater than what was implied by my misreading!
‘As far as I am concerned I don’t even need a photograph to show you who the Sinhala/Buddhist bigoted fascists are’
I would greatly appreciate if you’d explain how you set about identifying and showing who Sinhala/Buddhist bigoted fascists are!!
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bhumiputhra bandaara / April 19, 2020
GOVT, must stop treating mulims by force treat them only if they come forward let the bugggers catch covid 19 and go to hell to meeet ALLAH BUGGER
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Nandasena / April 19, 2020
bhumithel bandaaaaaaaara – You racist comment has no place in these columns. W.P. get lost!
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Ashan / April 19, 2020
Racist anti Muslim comment. Your mother did a bad job in raising you.
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Kemo Sabey / April 19, 2020
It looks like the GMOA is determined to create the groundwork that will lead to the establishment of the GMMOA (Government Muslim Medical Officers Association) in Sri Lanka.
Thereafter the Muslim community can be blamed for all the shortcomings in the medical profession in this country.
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Jay Chambers / April 19, 2020
This guy Babalat Appu says – I am born buddhist as because my parents are buddhists. In any case I were born to a Muslim Or Tamil family I would be called a Muslim or Hindu.
Idiot, YOU are YOU only because you were born to those parents of yours. If some other parents of some other faith had a childbirth that wont be YOU . It would be someone else.
This is one of the problems in Lanka. So much mumbo jumbo about reincarnation and being born to certain parents and faith. I urge the Sinhalese, let their monks engage in those nonsensical stuff but get going with the process of fighting those who are harming you, poisoning you, and doing everything to make you a minority by breeding like vermin. Those Moslems don’t think about this being born one think or the other, they are busy undermining you and other Kaffir infidels and making sure by 2030 Lanka has a majority Moslem population in the age group under 40 and by 2040 gain total domination with a Moslem President. Don’t waste time on religious rubbish about being born this or that faith. It is meaningless.
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Ashan / April 19, 2020
This is the sort of comment that shows racism, hatred, and ignorance.
No decent person writes this way.
Statisticians have shown that 7 percent Muslims can NEVER take over 80 percent of Buddhists, it is mathematically impossible, but it is an anti Muslim propaganda statement, used even in India. It is now old, and not working anymore. It is part of the hate speech that is used to incite uneducated dolts to turn against their neighbors, and it is used to provoke hatred, and ends up in violence.
Stop using Modi’s RSS talking points here. We are not like racist India.
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Jay Chambers / April 20, 2020
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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Jegan / April 20, 2020
There is no way muslims in SL are only 7%
We are not blind! We can clearly see how muslims are everywhere on the island! And it is getting worse with each passing year.
Muslims behave the same across the world and i have seen it with my own eyes having travelled to many nations. Muslims will first arrive in a certain area with only a family or two. Fast forward to a few decades and they have taken over the entire area and almost driven the ‘infidels’ out.
They have their mosques everywhere. They start building their own islamic schools. Have their own islamic banks. Halal food. Start demanding sharia law. Get into influential economic and political positions. Then use that power to let even more muslims migrate there. They also have affirmative action programmes enforced to benefit muslims in schools and in the job market.
Arab money plays a huge role in this as they are funding this infiltrate and take over process.
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Pygmalion / April 19, 2020
The Muslim Council has been infected with the GMOA virus!
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Muhandiram / April 19, 2020
The Doctors who authored and signed the document “GMOA/ICTA COVID-19 Exit Strategy”, when they joined the Medical Profession, seem to have signed the HYPOCRATIC Oath and NOT the Hippocratic Oath.
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jagath / April 20, 2020
dont worry. traditional areas habitat ed by muslims
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Fauzul Marikar / April 20, 2020
GMOA has a membership with basic MBBS qualifications. Some of these fellows have the gift of the gab. They do not know their trade. What can you expect when MBBS stands for Many Burials Before Service! Where is the integrity??
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