Indian medical experts challenge SLMC

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has consented to extend further, the registration of the non-national medical practitioners till March 31.

President’s Counsel S.A. Parathalingam who appeared for the SLMC informed the Supreme Court that he had obtained instruction from the SLMC to extend till March 31 next year, the registrations of the foreign medical doctors who applied for renewal with the SLMC.

President’s Counsel Faisz Musthapha with Faisza Markar and Gowry Shangary Thavarasha appearing for the aggrieved doctors moved that this extension of the registration should include all foreign doctors. Counsel Parathalingam told Court that the registration would be extended to whose who applied for extension. There are 22 foreign

There are 22 foreign doctors presently working in Colombo Private Hospitals

doctors presently working in Colombo Private Hospitals. The petitions of the aggrieved doctors were taken up before the Bench comprising Chief Justice Shirani A.Bandaranayake, Justices N.G. Amaratunga and K. Sripavan.

Durdans Hospital Senior Resident Consultant Cardiac Surgeon Dr K. Kesava Dev and Consultant Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr. Madhur Malik in their petitions complained of the alleged curtailments and/or nongranting and/or imminent refusal by the SLMC of registration of the Petitioner Indian Medical Experts as well as Dr Ganesh K. Kamath. Petitioners cited the SLMC, Health Minister Maithripa- la Sirisena, Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka, Director General of Health Services Dr U.A. Mendis, Secretary of Private Hosptials and Nursing Homes Secretary Wijaya Ransi and the Attorney General as Respondents.

Petitioners are seeking an order from the Court citing the curtailment and/or abbreviation by the SLMC of the registration of Petitioners and Dr. Ga- nesh K. Kamath to a period of two-and-halfmonths constituted a violation by the SLMC of their fundamental rights to equality and equal protection of the law as well the freedom to engage in lawful profession.

They are asking the Court to make an order to direct the SLMC to register them forthwith for the periods of one year each as recommended by Health Ministry and the Director General of Health Services.