SLMA asks PM, Ministers to resign en masse

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) yesterday urged the President, the Prime Minister and the remaining Cabinet Ministers to resign immediately and hand over the reins of government to an all-party government that can command the respect of the people.

Issuing a statement signed by Professor Samath D. Dharmaratne, President and Professor Ishan de Zoysa, Honorary Secretary, the SLMA said “As the apex and principal organisation of doctors in Sri Lanka, SLMA is extremely concerned by the current political instability in our country. This is in addition to the woeful suffering of our people inflicted by poor governance of the country over many decades.

“The vital and immediate need for the government is to heed the uniform cry of the people, the academia, the intelligentsia and the professional organisations for the President, Prime Minister and the remaining Cabinet Ministers to resign forthwith and hand over the reins of governing the country to an all-party government which would command at least some respect of the people.

“We appeal to all concerned, including the police and armed services, to act with responsibility and refrain from violence. We wish to further emphasise that the health services of our country are running on minimal resources and if there are mass casualties as a result of violence, the hospital services will not be able to handle them. Many healthcare personnel including doctors have not been able to report for duty due to the prevailing fuel crisis.

The SLMA wishes to fervently request the powers-that-be to provide a speedy resolution to the current political crisis, which has plagued this country for many months. That is the least that they can do for their fellow citizens.”