SLMC Chairman wrote ‘top secret’ letter to Rajitha: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday revealed that Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Chairman Professor Colvin Gunaratne had sent a ‘top secret’ letter to the Health Minister.

GMOA Secretary Haritha Aluthge told a news briefing that the letter was sent after the first coup to stop the election of members to the council failed.

He said according to informed sources the letter was also copied to the minister’s public relations officer.

However, the GMOA did not reveal the contents of the letter but challenged Prof. Gunaratne to publicize the contents of the letter instead.

In a letter dated March 23 sent to the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) by Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne had ordered the council to suspend the election of members to the council stating that there would be legal implications if his orders were not obeyed

GMOA described the letter as the second conspiracy to stop the SLMC election.

In a letter dated March 23 sent to the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) by Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne had ordered the council to suspend the election of members to the council stating that there would be legal implications if his orders were not obeyed.

However, the majority of SLMC membership decided to ignore the letter and to continue with the election proceedings. “The SLMC Chairman was hatching a coup to sabotage the SLMC election. When we met with Minister Senaratne recently he promised us that he would not interfere with the SLMC’S sovereignty. If any attempt is made to sabotage the election, GMOA will resort to stern trade union action,” he said. He further said the Medical Ordinance has been around for nearly nine decades and it has protected the quality of the country’s health service until now.

He said some Non-governmental Organisations (NGOS) are attempting to amend the Medical Ordinance however if any amendment is to be introduced, it should be done with the intention of improving the quality of the health service of the country. “If any amendments are needed they should be done with the support of medical experts, to fulfil the medical needs of the public and not to please the NGOS nor to seek political gains,” Dr. Aluthge added.