Gang attack North Central DHS

**North Central Province doctors to strike on Tuesday

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Doctors attached to government hospitals in the North Central province (NCP) will stage a token strike on Tuesday in protest against the assault on the NCP's Director of Health Services, Dr. Attapattu on Friday, hospital sources told the Sunday Observer.

Sources said that Dr. Attapattu was assaulted by two men who had followed his car on a motorcycle while he was on his way home after work on Friday evening. The assault had taken place around 6.10. p.m. about one kilometre away from the Anuradhapura hospital, close to his home.

The two men had overtaken the doctor's car and blocked his vehicle. Thereafter they were alleged to have pulled him out of the car and assaulted him with a blunt weapon on his head and the face, inflicting severe injuries.

In the meantime some people who had witnessed the incident from a tea kiosk had rushed to the aid of the doctor but was prevented by one of the assailants who had brandished a pistol.

Dr. Attapattu was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Anuradhapura hospital. Meanwhile hospital sources said that Dr. Attapattu had sustained head and facial injuries. The Police Media Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunesekera when contacted by the Sunday Observer said that a special investigation has been launched by the Anuradhapura police to apprehend the suspects.