GMOA plots collaborative action with other bodies

Appointment of Carlo Fonseka, The Island.

January 2, 2012, 10:35 pm

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Executive Committee yesterday held an emergency meeting and decided to take a final decision on the appointment of Prof. Carlo Fonseka, as the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, in collaboration with all medical professional bodies within the next two weeks.

Although GMOA and professional bodies, represented by Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Prof. T. Lamabadusuriya had requested the President’s Secretary to arrange a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on December 5 on the contention issue, he had not given a date until now, the GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr.Upul Gunasekera said.

He said that the GMOA and all professional bodies did not have any personal animosity against Prof. Fonseka. The GMOA and professional bodies wanted to express their views on Prof. Fonseka’s appointment as SLMC President. At the same time GMOA and all professional bodies wanted to extend the services of incumbent President Prof. Lalitha Mendis for another six months.

He pointed out that the SLMC President should be a person who could safeguard the professional integrity, dignity, transparency, accountability and independence of the institution. In case the SLMC President took politically biased decision, it would be a breach of professional etiquette.

Dr. Gunasekara added that all the professional bodies and GMOA would convene their stakeholders shortly to arrive at a final decision. GOMA would not request the President’s office for a discussion on the issue, because the appointment had already been made.