Carlo given letter of appointment as SLMC chairman

January 1, 2012, 6:45 pm , The Island.


In a defiant move the government has appointed Prof. Carlo Fonseka as chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council amidst vehement opposition from the powerful doctors’ union, the Government Medical Officers’ Association.

The mild mannered Prof. Fonseka contacted by The Island yesterday while confirming that he had been issued with a letter of appointment as the new Chairman of the SLMC effective from yesterday, however said he had not assumed duties.

Prof. Fonseka who has been serving with distinction in recent years as the Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol said he was hoping to give room to various medical bodies to prevail upon President Rajapaksa to reappoint Prof. Lalitha Mendis, whom he repeatedly described as one of his finest pupils and for Prof. Mendis to take up the post once again.

GMOA while conceding that he is most qualified for the post, however has been casting aspersions that his political leanings might influence his decisions as the Chairman of SLMC

Prof. Mendis, who served two terms handed in an early resignation to quit on January 1, 2012 citing personal issues.