The Chairman of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, has lodged a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the alleged alteration of Sri Lanka’s State Emblem on the official website of the Ministry of Public Security.
Dr. Sanjeewa stated that modifying the national emblem in a way that brings disrepute to the country constitutes a serious offence. He urged a comprehensive and independent investigation and called for legal action against those responsible.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the complaint, Dr. Sanjeewa said the emblem on the ministry’s website differs from the version approved by Parliament, which traditionally features the lion, Dharma wheel, bo leaves, full moon, sun, and moon. He claimed the altered emblem presents a distorted representation of the national symbol.
Highlighting that such a change could not be due to ignorance, Dr. Sanjeewa described the alteration as a significant insult to the Ministry of Defence and the Sri Lankan state. He warned that the ability to modify the State Emblem, whether by ministry personnel or an external party, poses a serious threat to national security and the country’s reputation.
Dr. Sanjeewa also criticised the authorities’ failure to investigate previous instances of emblem distortions on government websites and emphasised that the issue should not be viewed in isolation, particularly amid ongoing national debates on education reforms and changes in the health sector.
