DR. SIRISENA APPOINTED GMOA PRESIDENT
Dr. Sirisena you will be hailed as a man of high standing and integrity if you lead to regain the lost position by conducting the activities of the Union as that of members of a learned profession
Permit me to congratulate Dr Dharshana Sirisena for unanimously getting elected as the President of a trade union which had earned the wrath of the nation; something that should not have happened since the members were rated by the society above the labour category. That was due to the past President using the union to curry favour with politicians, now rejected by the people. He did that for his gain to rub shoulders with powerful rulers.
He is singularly fortunate to have escaped the anger of the people since he is one of the individuals responsible for straying outside his chosen field and misleading politicians that brought about disaster to agriculture.
I did watch a talk show where he challenged agricultural scientists and they floored him by explaining the difference between treating humans, animals and the soil. He had to eat humble pie and leave the venue. He dabbled in matters of trade too, when that subject was for specialists in that profession and Chambers of Commerce. He mingled with lackeys in areas of finance, banking, and economics to be counted with crooked politicians who were responsible for the monumental disaster that the country is now in causing social unrest never known to the citizens before.
That is not all. In the halcyon days there was an ACT of Parliament in force to protect the interests of patients from rapacious doctors. That was hardly activated to my knowledge as the quality of those who took the oath of “HIPPOCRATES” were responsible respected persons in society.
This ACT did not permit doctors to be on the disciplinary panel of the institution to which they made their complaint to ensure that the matter was inquired into without prejudice. The inquiry was to be conducted by an independent panel of members of integrity where the complainant was made to feel that justice would not only be done, but appear to be done. If a medical practitioner had transgressed the high standards expected of him the panel was expected to recommend suitable disciplinary action against the doctor: I guess including
cancellation of licence to practise.
This council known as the SRI LANKA MEDICAL COUNCIL was headed by a respected Paediatrician Prof. Harendra Silva and senior doctors of standing with impeccable records.
It’s common knowledge that this respected senior was unceremoniously removed from office by an ignorant Minister in 2020 based on the recommendation of the President of the Union. He and some GMOA MEMBERS having succeeded crept into the disciplinary panel.
It behoves on Dr. Sirisena to restore the faith the public had on the SLMC by restoring the hallowed standards that existed by leaving the SLMC TOGETHER WITH THE GMOA MEMBERS who invaded using political clout much to the detriment of the public who seek medical treatment in state institutions. The public have a right as tax payers funded their education from the school to graduation in the profession.
A further admirable step, which will elevate the position of the GMOA in the eyes of the people, will be if Dr Sirisena gets the current Minister to rectify this unacceptable change to what prevailed where no union members held office in the MEDICAL COUNCIL.
There is a judicial procedure initiated by Prof Silva awaiting hearing in the Supreme Court and that will invariably get withdrawn if at Ministerial level this gross injustice to patients and the insult inflicted on him got corrected. I repeat the GMOA will certainly regain public respect and elevate Dr. Sirisena as a class above “ape hamaduruwane types.” who cringed before politicians to go places.
The GMOA which was known as a mafia as they ordered strikes to derail the health service which catered to the poor segment of society at the behest of political masters/party he supported is well known.
A past President of the SLMC the late much respected Prof Carlo Fonseka was harassed no end when he was the President of the SLMC which sadly affected his reputation too. When his term concluded the President and some of his stooges called on Prof. Fonseka and pleaded with him not to leave. I watched on television how annoyed he was that he came out and said “man wandinnam mama wenuwen strike karanna epa.” ( I will beg you not to strike on my behalf )
If my memory serves me right he was instrumental in getting Prof. Colvin Gunaratne also out as the Chairman.
Dr. Sirisena you will be hailed as a man of high standing and integrity if you lead to regain the lost position by conducting the activities of the Union as that of members of a learned profession.
It will take a long time for the GMOA to win respect from society and it’s needless to emphasise Dr. Sirisena that it’s a great challenge that you face and my best wishes are with you to clean the Augean Stables.
To be recognised as a professional the critical requirement is not to function as a puppet of any government and allow yourself to be manipulated by any puppeteer.