Enjoining order halts Sri Lanka Medical Council election

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has been barred from going ahead with its election originally scheduled for April 20 and 21 following an enjoining order issued by the Colombo District Court last week.

The enjoining order, effective till April 19, 2021, was issued by Court to allow the SLMC to file objections.

Dr. Waranjan Jayasundara and Dr. R. P. K. Chandana filed the action in the Colombo District Court on the basis that the SLMC can call for an election only after the gazetted procedures are in place.

The subject Minister has powers to formulate regulations to elect members to the Council as per Section 72(1) of the Medical (Amendment) Act, and as per Section 72(4), but to impose such regulations, they should be approved by Parliament and gazetted.

Responding to criticism that there was confusion as the enjoining order preventing the election has still not been conveyed to most council members, SLMC Registrar, Dr. Ananda Hapugoda, said there was a delay due to the intervening New Year holidays.

“As the court order was given on Friday, there were some practical difficulties in conveying it to the council membership”, he told The Sunday Island.

On postal ballots, he said the process has already ended and it was left to courts to decide on the next step.

The SLMC is a statutory body established for the purpose of protecting health care seekers by ensuring the maintenance of academic and professional standards, discipline and ethical practice by health professionals who are registered with it. (Suresh Perera)