5-member committee to look into affairs of Sri Lanka Medical Council

A five-member committee has been appointed by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi to look into the activities of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

The five-member committee includes Specialist Dr. Prof. Hemantha Perera, Ragama Medical Faculty former Dean Prof. Prashantha Wijesinghe, Specialist Dr. Anula Wijesundera, Specialist Dr. Maithri Chandraratne, and Specialist Dr. Dharshana Sirisena.

Commenting on the appointment of the committee the Minister of Health noted that the Sri Lanka Medical Council is an independent body established by a charter and its primary function is to maintain a quality medical service by protecting the rights of patients. To secure it the institution protects the quality of medical education and regulates physicians.

Also, according to the Medical Ordinance, the final responsibility for the decisions of the Medical Council is vested in the Minister of Health, she noted.

The Committee was appointed following the recent controversial action taken by the SLMC to delist three recognised Russian universities including world-renowned Patrice Lumumba University that admit Sri Lankan students for medical degrees from the list of foreign universities recognised by Sri Lanka.

Following the intense response to the move SLMC reversed the decision saying it made a mistake.

The Committee is entrusted to look into the process of delisting universities and also other complaints including the postponement of the SLMC election to appoint representatives to vacant positions, and the registration of doctors without even the minimum required qualification. The five-member committee will also probe the postponement of the Examination to Register to Practice Medicine of students who studied overseas as well as the SLMC examining complaints beyond its scope.

The committee is tasked with submitting an independent report to the Health Minister following the inquiries.