GMOA claims govt. planning take over of SLMC as state enterprise

November 28, 2011, 10:06 pm , The Island.

By Don Asoka Wijewardena

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday warned the government not to take over Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as a state enterprise and not to appoint an unqualified person as the President of the Medical Council as its current President Prof. Lalitha Mendis had tendered her resignation to the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Minister Sirisena had accepted the resignation. He would have a discussion with President Mahinda Rajapaksa today or tomorrow and would let the GMOA know the response, the Association said..

The powerful doctors’ union also accused the government of not solving serious problems affecting the Health Sector. It wanted Prof.Lalitha Mendis to remain as the President of the SLMC until those problems were solved.

In case the government appointed an unqualified person with political influence as the President of the SLMC, the GMOA would not hesitate to take stronger trade union action, its General Secretary Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa told a media conference held at GMOA head office..

Dr.Epitakaduwa said that the GMOA knew from a reliable source that an influential henchman of a high ranking politician would be appointed to fill the vacancy created by Prof. Lalitha Mendis’ resignation. At the same time the medical profession had been going from bad to worse. Problems such as serious irregularities at Malabe PMC, bogus medical certificates presented by 70 Assistant Medical Practitioners, provision of unqualified Indian doctors to practice here were outstanding, he claimed..

The Gen. Secretary said that the government, under the recommendation of a senior cabinet minister, was in the process of legislating an Act to take over the SLMC as a government-owned enterprise. The government was also planning to appoint a person to the SLMC with political background. The SLMC was an independent organization which had been maintaining a high standard of medical ethics and management. in accordance with the Sri Lanka Medical Ordinance. It was a flagrant violation to take over SLMC administration under the purview of the government.

GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr.Upul Gunasakera said that in terms of seniority and qualifications, Prof. Lalitha Mendis had all the credentials to be the President of the SLMC. But in case a political henchman was appointed, the person would wreak havoc in the medical profession. The GMOA was determined to launch a stronger protest against the government move if it went ahead and appointed a novice to the post..

When contacted Prof. Lalitha Mendis said that several medical organizations such as SLMC, Sri Lanka College of Surgeons, Post-Graduate Institute of Medicine and the GMOA were on the war path against the government’s move to take over the SLMC and appoint a politically influential person as its president. She would not mind remaining as the President of the SLMC until some of the problems mentioned were resolved.