The Ministry of Health's decision to assign a medical specialist who holds a high position at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH) to the Castle Street Hospital for Women (Teaching) could lead to complications in the transfer process within the relevant field of specialist medicine, it is learnt.
Sources within the Ministry claimed that a medical specialist who was serving at the Base Hospital (BH) in Elpitiya had been appointed to a high-level position at the SJGH by the then Health Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in September 2024. The relevant appointment letter, which was seen by The Daily Morning, states that the appointment, which was made with immediate effect, is valid for a period of three years unless terminated earlier. Following his appointment, an acting medical specialist had been appointed to the Elpitiya BH in place of him.
Against this backdrop, sources claimed to The Daily Morning that the relevant medical specialist is now going to be assigned to the Castle Street Hospital for Women (Teaching), and that doing so would violate the relevant procedures which should be followed when medical specialists are transferred. "There is an annual transfer list based on which medical specialists are transferred. Transferring individuals without following that list is illegal, and it will also create many problems. Another issue is whether a person can serve in both a leading semi-Government hospital and a Government hospital at the same time. The Ministry should stop this preparation."
Sources further claimed that the Public Service Commission (PSC) is yet to approve the said medical specialist's appointment to the SJGH, and the ongoing preparation to assign him to the Castle Street Hospital for Women (Teaching). "Taking up a post in the SJGH without approval by the PSC is irregular for a State employed medical specialist, and if the PSC grants the release to the SJGH to this officer, taking up a post in a Government hospital is also irregular."
When contacted by The Daily Morning on 29 December, the Castle Street Hospital for Women (Teaching) Director Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana said that he was unaware of any plans to assign a new medical specialist to the hospital. When queried as to whether a medical specialist holding a position at another institution, such as the SJGH, could also serve at the hospital, he explained that the individual would then need to be resigned from the other institution. The Daily Morning learns that the Castle Street Hospital for Women (Teaching) had received the ministry's letter assigning the relevant medical specialist to the hospital, yesterday (30).
The Daily Morning also queried the Elpitiya BH Director Dr. Thilina Ariyadasa as to whether the medical specialist appointed to the SJGH while previously serving at the Elpitiya BH is still drawing a salary from the hospital, and he (Dr. Ariyadasa) confirmed that he (the medical specialist in question) is not on their payroll.
The Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe was not available for comment.