The Joint Council of Supplementary Medical Professionals (JCSMP) alleged the Government for extremely politicising the recruitment of graduates with allied health qualifications into the healthcare service.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (24), the alleged that regional politicians affiliated with the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) are pressuring applicants to appear for selection examinations. “To resolve this issue, we have continuously held discussions with the Ministry of Health, but, the implementation of the agreements reached has been delayed. We have repeatedly stated that when a priority list prepared by the University Grants Commission already exists, graduates should not be recruited through a general knowledge examination,” he said. He further stated that this has now become a serious and critical issue. At present, organisers affiliated with the NPP are accessing the personal information of applicants submitted to the ministry and are calling the applicants directly, urging them to sit for the said examination. Dharmawickrama said: “This kind of political interference in the recruitment process of the ministry has never happened in the past. It is regrettable that it is happening under the current Government.” 

He also added that a proper investigation should be conducted into the release of applicants’ personal information to a third party.

However, speaking on behalf of the Government regarding the recruitments at the Cabinet of Ministers media briefing, Health Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa previously announced that recruitments for professions where the number of applicants exceeds the number of vacancies will be made only after a recruitment examination, rather than based on a merit list.

The Secretary to the Health Ministry was not available for comment.