• SLMC members claim request for same made from Council Prez

Although it has been nearly two weeks since the removal of former Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Vice President (VP) Prof. Jayantha Jayawardana, SLMC President Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake is yet to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the same, a few SLMC members have claimed.

Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, early this month (October), removed Prof. Jayawardana as the SLMC’s VP, a move which was said to be aimed at “reconstituting the board of the SLMC”, which, in turn, saw criticism from several parties, including the Association of Medical Specialists and the Government Medical Officers’ Association.

Following his removal, SLMC members had requested Prof. Dissanayake to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. However, a few council members told The Daily Morning that a meeting had not been convened thus far. They claimed that the SLMC President’s failure to make an acting appointment while on an overseas visit has resulted in delays and difficulties in maintaining certain functions of the SLMC.

Prof. Dissanayake was not available for comment.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, SLMC Registrar Dr. Hemantha Herath said that the matter pertaining to the convening of a council meeting should be inquired from the SLMC President.

Responding to the allegation with regard to the lack of an acting appointment, he said that the non-availability of the President did not disrupt the SLMC’s administrative duties as they were carried out by the relevant officials. “There has been no practice of making acting appointments in the SLMC. What the council does is give policy directions. It is the administrative staff under me that delivers the duties. If there is a lack of staff, then, there may be certain difficulties. The President’s non-availability is, however, not a hindrance to day-to-day activities.”

The SLMC is a statutory body established for the purpose of protecting healthcare seekers by ensuring the maintenance of academic and professional standards, discipline, and ethical practice by health professionals who are registered with it. It derives its statutory powers from Chapter 105 of the Medical Ordinance of 1924 and its subsequent amendments and the regulations gazetted under the ordinance.