News
SLMC imbroglio: Why sack only five for collective decisions taken by apex body-Dr. Swarnakumar
The Sri Lanka Orthopaedic Association has questioned the controversial sacking of five members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi as decisions taken therein were taken with collective responsibility.
Dr V. Swarnakumar in his capacity as the President of the Association, while challenging the ministerial decision, has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s immediate intervention to settle the dispute. In a letter dated Dec 23 addressed to the President, Dr. Swarnakumar has said: “All the decisions made by the SLMC are taken with collective responsibility, either by the entire SLMC or by a majority vote and they are binding on all the members of the SLMC council. Hence, sudden removal of ONLY five members of the council based on the recommendations of this questionable committee is arbitrary and unethical.”
The following is the full text of the letter: “As the main professional body representing all the orthopaedic surgeons in both the state and private sector in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Orthopaedic Association (SLOA) is gravely concerned about the current situation in the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).
The Sri Lanka Medical Council is the continuation of what was the Ceylon Medical Council established under the medical ordinance 24 of 1924. Its primary purpose is to protect the public/patients’ rights by ensuring a disciplined and ethical practice of its members while maintaining the academic and professional standards of its members.
The truth is that the ordinance that was legislated at a time when there was but a single medical School in existence is woefully inadequate to resolve the issues that are present today; arising from a multitude of local as well as foreign medical graduates and an increasing number of specialties and sub specialties. Compounding this truth is the unfortunate reality of the pervasive influence of politicians and trade unions on almost every single independent institution, in which the SLMC is not alone.
SLOA firmly believes that as the regulatory body for the academic, professional and ethical standards of the medical practitioners, SLMC should be free from all extraneous influences, political or otherwise to carry out their functions independently.
SLOA council notes that the recent termination of the tenure of office of FIVE members of the SLMC, including its President was based on recommendations of a committee appointed by the Minister of Health.
With reference to the above committee report, we observe following key points which we believe are the observations of all the right thinking medical community.
1. The terms of reference of the said committee were of a fact finding nature. We understand that its mandate does not include making recommendations of a punitive nature.
2. All the decisions made by the SLMC are taken with collective responsibility, either by the entire SLMC or by a majority vote and they are binding on all the members of the SLMC council. Hence, sudden removal of ONLY five members of the council based on the recommendations of this questionable committee is arbitrary and unethical.
In the light of above, we, the SLOA urge your Excellency to please intervene early to resolve this matter, so that the SLMC will once again enjoy the trust that the public had invested in it and function as a true independent body with the necessary integrity of a statutory body of its caliber. “
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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