The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) In Sri Lanka – July 1987 Indo- Lanka Peace Accord- IPKF enters Sri Lanka The signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Pact paved the way for the Indian Army to enter Sri Lanka in July 1987. It was an “invasion” by invitation. While Indian aircraft were bringing in Indian troops to Jaffna, Sri Lankan troops were returning back to Ratmalana close to the capital city, Colombo. In the South of the country there were massive…

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“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent” – Isac Asimov I started work as Consultant Surgeon at Base Hospital, Polonnaruwa in January 1982. At that time the ancient city of Polonnaruwa was very peaceful. There were incidents of violence with the victims being admitted to the surgical ward for treatment of their injuries. But these were caused by stabs, assaults with blunt weapons, trap guns and in some cases injuries caused by guns improvised by the local blacksmith called…

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“Scenes off the operating theatre” During my tenure in Polonnaruwa there were incidents that brought fear and excitement while others brought entertainment. Fear and excitement was brought about by the activities of three (3) famous highway robbers / criminals who terrorized the area in the 1980’s. That was before the onset of North- East Terrorism in the country. Today I bring to you the story of these three criminals, how they were apprehended and their fate thereafter at the hands…

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Quacks are untrained and unqualified people who practice medicine illegally. They thrive in remote villages which do not have proper medical facilities and qualified personnel. They not only prescribe medicine but also behave as experts in different fields like “specialists”.Thus there are those who claim to be “specialized” in the treatment of fractures, burn injuries, boils, infections etc. The gullible villagers are taken for a ride by these quacks as they very often receive treatment from them due to a…

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