Ramanathan Archchuna
Ramanathan Archchuna | |
|---|---|
| ராமநாதன் அர்ச்சுனா රාමනාදන් අර්චුනා | |
| Member of Parliament for Jaffna District | |
| Assumed office 21 November 2024 | |
| Majority | 20,487 preferential votes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1986 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | University of Colombo |
| Profession | Physician |
Ramanathan Archchuna is a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and physician. He was elected to the 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka from the Jaffna Electoral District as an independent candidate.[1][2][3]
Career
Archchuna served as the acting Medical Superintendent (MS) of the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital and was later promoted to the position on a permanent contract basis.[4] In July 2024, he made headlines for exposing the irregularities and malpractices that occurred at the hospital on social media.[5] He eventually rose to prominence and was hailed as a stalwart by the public in northern Sri Lanka for facilitating a much needed system change to hospitals across the country, and streamline smooth operational workflow.[6]
In November 2024, he contested in the 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election as an independent candidate from the Jaffna District and was subsequently elected as a member of parliament from Jaffna.[3]
Legal issues
In 2021, he was involved in a road accident on the Baseline Road and allegedly assaulted another motorist, seriously injuring him. On November 2024 a warrant was issued against him after failing to appear in court.[7]
In December 2024, he visited the Jaffna Teaching Hospital unannounced and attempted to meet the Director while also demanding to be addressed as "Sir." When the Director of the Hospital Dr Sathyamoorthy declined and insisted on referring to him as "Honorable Member of Parliament" Ramanathan threatened to remove him from his position.[8] The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court restricted him from entering the hospital unless he is a patient.[9]
References
- ^ "BREAKING – Sri Lanka's NPP secures 'super majority' in parliament as it secures biggest ever win". Tamil Guardian. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Jaffna District preferential vote results released". Ada Derana. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Newly elected MPs: Jaffna". Times Online. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Community Rallies Behind New Medical Superintendent at Chavakachcheri". english.newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Uproar in Jaffna over transfer of Chavakachcheri Hospital director after allegations of corruption". Tamil Guardian. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ Mohan, Sulochana Ramiah (2024-07-12). "Dr. Ramanathan Leverages FB to Expose Malpractices". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Warrant issued for Jaffna MP Archchuna Ramanathan". Newswire. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "Will hand over MP Archuna to Police if he disrupts hospital operations: Jaffna Hospital Director - Breaking News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "Jaffna Hospital informs MP Archchuna he can only enter as a patient". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
