• Raise concern over cancellation of certain ERPM Part B segments, relevant Exams rescheduled for 14-15 May
• Min. to write to SLMC, plethora of Exam issues including undue influence & lack of support come to light 

A group of medical graduates who have received their degrees from foreign universities has raised concerns over the alleged abrupt cancellation of the ‘surgery long and short cases’ segments in the Examination to Register to Practise Medicine (ERPM) (Part B), which took place at the Eastern University examination centre earlier this year (2024).

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), through an electronic mail dated 29 April, had communicated to the students who sat for the said Examination that the SLMC had taken a decision to annul the Examination, and to hold it again on 14 and 15 May.  

In a letter addressed to the SLMC Registrar, Dr. Hemantha Herath, a group of candidates said that the reason given for the SLMC's decision is “the failure of the examination centre to conduct the Examination according to the guidelines stipulated by the Council”, but, it is unclear as to what guidelines have been violated. They said that the decision of the Council and the guidelines which have allegedly been violated have not been posted on the official website of the SLMC or of the Department of Examinations, and added that there was nothing detrimental to them as candidates in the conduct of the said Examination. 

"The said annulment and the last minute notification of a repeat Examination in two weeks from the date of notification are severely detrimental to us who have every expectation of passing. Cancelling an Examination that we faced three months ago, with no prior notice or communication of any such impending cancellation, is arbitrary, capricious and grossly unreasonable. The marks obtained by us at the ERPM not only entitle us to qualify for provisional registration but our marks also affect our order of merit for employment by the Ministry of Health. Annulling the Exam and depriving us of the marks earned by us legitimately and by sheer hard work, would cause severe and irreparable loss and damage to us and our careers," the letter read. 

Emphasising that they prepare for and face examinations amidst severe constraints and obstacles, the group of graduates said that the decision of the Council serves to deprive them of the fruit of their hard work. They accordingly urged Dr. Herath and the SLMC to consider their grievances, set aside the annulment in question, and to proceed to release their results.

The media has meanwhile reported that the SLMC President (current President being Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake) had, in response to a complaint from a candidate about the absence of a translator during the Examination, intervened without adhering to the proper procedure. According to reports, the candidate in question is the daughter of a medical consultant who has a close relationship with the President. Instead of resolving the issue equitably, the President had allegedly directed that marks be added to all candidates, including the consultant's daughter, to ensure that she passed. When the Examination Coordinator and the Council refused to comply with the directive, he is alleged to have used his authority to annul the Examination for everyone and ordered a complete re-Examination, despite some Council members reportedly suggesting that only the affected candidates should be re-Examined.

Adding to such reports, a communication referred to the SLMC by a Senior Lecturer attached to the Eastern University reads that she had had to face undue influence from 'higher officials' of the SLMC with regard to the said Examination. "A candidate who sat for the Examination has complained to the SLMC’s Examination Unit that she has been dealt with rudely at the surgery examination, and that she was not provided with a translator. Following this complaint, the Examination Unit of the SLMC and the SLMC, instead of holding an inquiry, chose to request the Dean of the Faculty of Health-care Sciences of the Eastern University to "sort the matter" at the Faculty level to avoid litigation. I understand that the advice was to alter the complainant's marks in order to make her pass the Examination. There was also a threat that it would reflect badly on the Faculty and the Examiners if the complaint was taken up for inquiry or if the candidate went for a court case. Certain other inappropriate suggestions were made and pressure too was exerted. Despite this ill advice, the Coordinator for Surgery sent his observations after discussing with the other Surgery Examiners. I also understand that there was still pressure exerted by the higher officials of the SLMC."

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Dr. Herath said that following a complaint that a student did not have an interpreter during the Examination, the Council requested an investigation. "The investigation concluded that the student indeed lacked interpreter support. Based on these findings, the Council recommended that the Examination be held again for the 41 students who took the Exam at the Batticaloa centre." When queried regarding the allegations concerning the issue, he said: "All doctors are our friends. As far as I know, this candidate's parents are also doctors, but, none of these decisions have been made on personal grounds." He clarified that the Council's decision was not made individually but as a collective body. "The decision of the Council is implemented based on the findings of the investigation."

It is also learnt that a group of candidates who sat for the Examination met Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala yesterday (6). During the discussions, the Minister had told the candidates that the Ministry would write to the SLMC in this regard.