The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the apex body of doctors in Sri Lanka yesterday urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take necessary action to preserve the integrity of the Sri Lanka Medical Council for the maintenance of discipline and smooth functioning of its regulatory and academic activities in the face of verbal attacks by “senior politicians” over the media.
In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the SLMA president, Prof. Sanath. P. Lamabadusuriya said if this situation is not nipped in its bud, it would lead to a chaotic situation where a doctor would not be able to practice in his /her own country without fear or favour.
“The SLMA is very perturbed that the President of the SLMC had come under verbal attack by senior politicians over the media. The Registrar of the SLMC Dr. N. J. Nonis had been assaulted by unknown persons on October 4. These events have taken place whilst they were trying their best to safeguard the integrity of the SLMC,” the letter said.
The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is the statutory body that is mandated to regulate medical education (both under-graduate and post-graduate). It is also the disciplinary body for doctors in Sri Lanka. A doctor cannot practise Western Medicine in Sri Lanka without registration with the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
Meanwhile, the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka (CGPSL) and the Independent Medical Practitioners Association (IMPA) condemned the assault on the Registrar of the Sri Lanka Medical Council. “We appeal to the Law Enforcement Authorities to swiftly apprehend the culprits and to bring them before the Courts. Dr. Nonis is a dedicated officer of the Sri Lanka Medical Council which is vital for maintaining standards in the medical profession and the safety of our people. Dr. Nonis is duty bound to implement the decisions arrived at by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.”
“The CGPSL and IMPA whose members constitute practicing doctors in the private sector are deeply disturbed by the current trend and earnestly request the Government to ensure the safety of the members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council,” a statement said.
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