President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Prof. Harendra De Silva has accused former Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniaracchi of acting in a in mala-fide, arbitrarily and capriciously manner by revoking the appointments of the Petitioners of the SLMC, and by removing him from his position as the President of the SLMC despite a court order.

This was made known via a media release by Prof. Harendra De Silva today (20). 

"After a lengthy court procedure lasting for more than two years, a comprehensive 

judgment was delivered in our favour nullifying ministerial action and reinstating those aggrieved parties to our original positions and 3 of us assumed functions immediately afterwards the judgment. In this judgment, the learned judges stated that “......In these respects, I hold that the Minister has acted in mala-fide, arbitrarily and capriciously revoking the appointments of the Petitioners of the SLMC, the Petitioners were not heard before such removal, and as such, the Minister did not adhere to the rule of natural justice and audi alteram partem. However, today afternoon, I am told that there is a stay order from the Supreme Court to vacate my position. I am surprised since I have neither got a notice from the Supreme Courtn or I had the opportunity to present my case before His Lordship judges in this matter. However, based on the order I am leaving the SLMC since I do not want to go against the Supreme Court," the statement read. 

He further noted that the position he held in office as the President of the SLMC had no personal benefit to him and that he only stood for the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and independence of the Medical Council and to prevent arbitrary, illegal Political Interference.