Opposition to Carlo being appointed SLMC head

December 26, 2011, 10:16 pm , The Island.

By Don Asoka Wijewardena

Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President Prof. T. Lamabadusuriya, on behalf of several medical associations, has asked for a discussion with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the appointment of Prof. Carlo Fonseka as SLMC President.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said yesterday that Prof. Lamabadusuriya would try to convince the President the responsibilities and commitments involved in the post.

GMOA General Secretary Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa yesterday cautioned that the appointment of Prof. Carlo Fonseka to the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) was an insensible decision taken by the government.

Dr. Epitakaduwa said that the future of medical profession was at stake because in terms of qualifications Prof. Fonseka had all the credentials. But the President of the SLMC should be a person without any sort of political affiliations. Prof. H. H. G.Samarasinghe and Prof. Lalitha Mendis were held in esteem because they were unbiased, independent and professional at all times in dealing with the medical activities.

He claimed that Prof. Fonseka was rather a controversial character. Several medical associations such as Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMC), Sri Lanka College of Surgeons (SLCS), Sri Lanka Dental Surgeons Association SLDSA), University deans of all faculties of medicine and Sri Lankan Dental Association (SLDA) had expressed their dissatisfaction over this appointment.

Prof. Fonseka yesterday he said he was not after any position and he would like to see Prof. Lalitha Mendis he described as one of his finest pupils continue in the job.

When pointed out that she had recently tendered her resignation from the post of the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council to the Health Minister, Prof. Fonseka said that it had been done at a time when she had some personal problems, but those matters had now been sorted out.