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SLMC imbroglio: Why sack only five for collective decisions taken by apex body-Dr. Swarnakumar

Published

4 years ago

2020/12/24

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. “

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Southern Expressway land leased to Rajapaksa allies for Rs. 10,000 – Minister

Published

14 hours ago

2025/06/21

Thilina Walpola

Bimal Rathnayake

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament yesterday that a service area on the Southern Expressway had been leased for 99 years to individuals linked to the Rajapaksa family for just Rs. 10,000.

Responding to questions raised by Opposition MPs Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Ajith P. Perera, Minister Rathnayake also claimed that the Rajapaksa associates had obstructed the construction of several other approved service areas along the expressway.

He said that the Southern Expressway project suffered from serious irregularities, including deviations from feasibility studies, which he said led to the wastage of billions of rupees.

Highlighting specific discrepancies, the Minister pointed to the construction of two interchanges that were not part of the original expressway blueprint.

“One is at Kapuduwa, just 5 km from Godagama in Matara, serving only traffic to and from Colombo. The other is at Bedigama, 6 km from Beliatta,” he said, adding that each interchange cost over Rs. 10 million to build.

By Saman Indrajith

News

Hike in bus fares if Israel-Iran conflict results in higher fuel prices

Published

15 hours ago

2025/06/21

Thilina Walpola

Gemunu

A hike in private bus fares could be on the cards next month if global fuel prices continue to climb as a result of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, according to Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President, Gemunu Wijeratne.

Wijeratne told The Island yesterday (20), that the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for the 1st of next month, could lead to a revision in fares, should fuel prices in the global market remain on an upward trajectory.

He said that while fuel prices are already high due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions, the Association is cautious about pushing for a fare increase immediately, warning that such a move could adversely affect the industry in the current economic climate.

However, Wijeratne emphasised that if international fuel prices stabilise and remain at their present levels, a fare hike may not be necessary.

“The situation is being closely monitored. We hope that the global market stabilises, but if fuel prices continue to rise, we will have no choice but to adjust fares accordingly,” he added.

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon ✍️

News

Committee probing alleged abuse of power by IGP approves inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad

Published

15 hours ago

2025/06/21

Thilina Walpola

The Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon convened for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, under the Chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. The Committee also includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission, the Parliament Media Division said.

It said that as of Thursday, 28 prosecution witnesses have testified before the Committee, including seven on that day (Thursday).

The Committee has also approved the inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad on official duty, to testify after their return to the country on 26 June. This request was submitted by Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department.

Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawikrama, appearing on behalf of IGP Tennakoon, gave his consent for the two witnesses to be summoned for examination and cross-examination upon their return. The Committee granted the request.

Although initially scheduled to reconvene yesterday (20), proceedings have been postponed to Monday, 23 June, following a request by Weerawikrama to allow additional time to prepare the IGP’s defence. With the Attorney General’s Department not objecting, the Committee approved the postponement.

The next sessions will be held from 23 to 25 June, commencing at 9:30 a.m. daily. During this period, 15 witnesses are expected to testify on behalf of the Respondent IGP.The Committee will reconvene again at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 26June, following the conclusion of the defense’s witness testimonies.