28 March, 2024

Blog

Elections To The Sri Lanka Medical Council, But No Annual Reports For Five Years

Close to the tightly contested election of new office bearers of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), it has been shockingly disclosed in a Right to Information appeal filed by a citizen against the SLMC that the Annual Reports of the SLMC have not been printed or published for the past five years!

Prof. Carlo Fonseka – Chairman SLMC (Jan 2012 – Sept 2017)

The last published Annual Report of the SLMC has been 2011. Lawyers appearing in this matter before the RTI Commission on Monday informed Colombo Telegraph that they had appealed to the Commission for the 2012-2016 Annual Reports as they wished to find out what policy decisions had been taken by the SLMC in regard to private medical institutions, including SAITM.

The SLMC had however taken up the position before the Commission that the Annual Reports could not be given as they had not been printed! It said that it was not under a legal obligation to print the Annual Reports!

‘The fact that this premier medical body in Sri Lanka could even put forward the claim without shame that its Annual Reports have not been printed for over five years even though  it has to present these Reports to Parliament is beyond our imagination!’ said one of the lawyers to Colombo Telegraph.

The Sri Lanka Medical Council, headed at one time by the likes of Sir Nicholas Attygalle (June 1964-Dec. 1969), an eminent senator, academic and a surgeon, is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most elite medical institutions. It describes itself on its website as 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. It has representation from medical faculties of state universities as well as from professionals in the state and private sector. One of its chief functions is to register practitioners engaged in providing healthcare.

The Council states its general duty as being to ‘protect the public and uphold the reputation of the profession.’ Its other duties include the maintaining and publishing registers of qualified persons in different categories to practise each discipline, prescribing the standard of education and standard of medical education, providing advice on professional conduct and medical ethics and taking action against those who are registered with the council if it appears that they have become unfit to practise and exercise the privileges of registration.

Due to the Council stating that it had no Annual Reports from 2012 onwards, the RTI Commission had ordered that the minutes of the meetings of the Council during the years in question for which the non-published Annual Reports relate to, reflecting policy decisions taken by the Council and notified in Annual Reports, be released to the appellant without including information relating to personal details of doctors or medical records. The Council had agreed to release the relevant portions of the minutes of its meetings starting from the year 2012. The SLMC elections are being conducted after a lapse of time, reports state.

There is also a tug-of-war between the heavily politicized Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the SLMC. The deterioration of standards in Sri Lanka’s professional institutions, including law and medicine during the past decades has been the subject of recent public attention and concern.                         

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 0
    6

    There are lots of Budist monks who are doctors in Sri Lanka. If Sri Sena promises to maintain the supremacy of Budhism, a Budhist monk (who is also a doctor) should be elected as a president.

    • 4
      0

      A President Prof. Colvin Gooneratne was appointed recently for 5 years. Non medical head will bring in more disaster. Please no robes as this profession needs restoration.
      Colvin being at war with GMOA is a healthy sign.

  • 4
    0

    Professor Carlo Fonseka,

    Is there a correlation between the SLMC and the mean IQ of the population, 79?

    If so, why?

    If not, why?

    • 5
      0

      Sir
      In poor, old Carlo’s defense, accounting is not exactly a Sri Lankan Forte.
      Cheers!

    • 2
      2

      He is now in his mid 80ties.

      Still him not being able to be away from activities should be considered.

      I think this Gentleman should be relieved by Balligeputha GMOAers and others, not putting loads on him:

      Alone that Daham Pahana the greatest Program being continued by Pastor Charles would not have been born, if this Gentleman had not been there.

      My hat off to Prof. Carlo Fonseka but he should also take care of his HEALTH better.. not involving stressful discussions on and on. God bless him th elike yeomen of mother lanka.

      • 6
        0

        Lady………. Carlo Fonseka suffers from a disease found among most Sri Lankans. They do not know when to call it a day and go. They wish to hang on till they die.

        • 5
          0

          EagleEye,

          Mahinda Rajapaksa has a severe case of that disease, and suffers every day, along with his cronies and shills…

  • 5
    0

    Prof Carlo Fonseka and the Thugs for you !!

  • 9
    0

    A noble profession turned into a political mess by the GMOA. Public opinion is against them and we should not wait for this Gov to act as they will treat this as another Rajapakse case and take no action.

    The council should be disbanded and the Doctors sent back to work.

    #publicwrath

  • 7
    0

    “Sri Lanka Medical Council, But No Annual Reports For Five Years”
    _
    Carlo,

    You can have the best Medical Council in the whole damn universe ………… with all the annual reports to kingdom-come.

    But what’s the bloody use if the patients are suffering in hospitals and all over the whole lousy health-care system.

    The trick Carlo, is to focus your energies to improve patient-care and get the treatment of patients right. That’s the only thang that’ll improve the health-care-system. ………….. Everything else can go to hell ……..and will; if the past is any indication.

    Not that I’m holding my breath. ……….. I know where Lanka health-care is heading; where it has always been heading since 1948 …….. Well, your IQ of 160 and my IQ of 79 …….. a collective IQ of 239 should be able to figure that out between the 2 of us without even glancing at the goddam Annual Reports.

  • 5
    0

    when have rajapaksa stooges like carlo ever published annual reports or accounts
    they only make nonsensical public speeches about medical education to get publicity in the newspapers

  • 4
    0

    Karl Marx gang did absolutely nothing to even sustain/maintain SLMC leave alone make it a vibrant honest body of integrity reflecting the restorative healing nature of the medical profession. Being govt. they were deceived into wielding power through TU GMOA kicking off their governing function, disobeying judiciary, and not maintaining documents and reports, procedures, processes, law and order. Their god was the revolution to kill the kings, mesmerized by the fact that SAITM may not be ordinary students just like them struggling to finish exams.
    Their aim was to dislodge Dr. Neville, using accusations, but this “high class bankrupt body” has no reports to show that Marx even died in London. They think courts cant jail them if they hide unprintable documents which implicate them. Brain has more water than other organs and this leaves skulls empty very fast. Their behavior and principles still violate the medical ordinance meant to help students complete their courses. Their only activity is a chronic ERPM, former Act 16 of GLP brought to favor his FMG daughter. This exam. using similitude of common MCQ of state final, brings purposely 85% job failure while mafia repeatedly get examiner fees from these helpless exhausted FMG. These criminals want to dump it on SAITM too with unrestricted cravings. Ignorant politicians don’t see the injustice to SAITM students whose views were not even considered as they rushed to kill their spider. Unlike other subjects, degree MBBS has to be continued with internship training to register and practice. Verdict was given, but paralyzing malicious dementia set in to SLMC which will do the same to any new SLIIT institute too and politicians from top to bottom will be helpless in mafia hands just like now. BEWARE

  • 5
    0

    You don’t have to print to give a copy. They could provide a photo copy of what ever available. What are they going to hide. This shows that they are most unprofessional and all of their decisions on SAITAM may have to be reviewed.

  • 4
    0

    In Carlo’s insanity,. he hid the Prof. Rizvi Sheriff 9 member Inspection report of SAITM in July 2015 which recommended more clinical training for SAITM. This was done except head on collision with GMOA. Then he sent a sure rebel SLMC who never inspected but through jealousy gave a foul “NO”
    Still SLMC should have contd. with further later assessments according to Medical Ordinance, but by September, Carlo publicised his report that SAITM should be abolished and never once mentioned the recommendations. At gunpoint from GR, these AP jokers bowed the knee with a 2 para. KDU approval, and this is recorded in verdict instructing to register SAITM, showing Carlo’s double standards now multiple. AP in contempt of court. Injustice to SAITM is not corrected by Angoda/Welikada cure for SLMC. They have 2 year long crazy ERPM exam. & recorded minutes.

  • 6
    0

    Someone please tell me.
    Who chaired SLMC during those 5 years?
    That was the time when Carlos was reborn – from a fierce critic of the Jaffna Library arsonists he changed over to blaming the ‘terrorists’ for the job.

    • 2
      0

      KP you know who chaired, Karl Marx of course. Last report 2011 wd. be Lalitha M. displaced by KM who came to destroy SAITM using students controlled by GMOA. The irony is that KM got verdict to register SAITM for practice. No time to write reports or logical reasoning, SLMC forced govt. to stop SAITM admissions and will never again allow any new admissions to any other private Institute (Peratugami abolition) by whatever name. If SAITM now is forced to change names, SLMC registration received through court verdict is not a transferrable asset. SLMC Act allows them to decide again outside verdict won. Past reports of SLMC hidden to deal death blow. Naïve Economist does not understand medical gimmicks unless allow SAITM tail off like former NCMC of KM . Peratu offers Wayamba to affiliate SAITM so Z of District Quota can enter, and not privates they surely will destroy.

      • 3
        0

        ‘Karl Marx’ being presumably Carlo F.?

        Really. Was he this bad? I had no idea.

  • 2
    0

    I have gone through the annual reports of 2006 to 2011 .In those reports it is found falls accounts in last quarter of 2006 and 2008 . lots of abuse and miss use of their power and authority. it was highlighted how they have treated FMGGS to rectify their deficiencies ,short comings and failures by giving tuition and clinical in state hospitals but SAITM was bared from everything, Foreign agents are treating them well. 233 foreign medical schools were recognized all over the world but not the SATIM. Government should dissolve this SLMC and make institute like in Britain and establish a single institute like IQAAA for all professional education.If not there will be hundreds of professional bodies for each segment of profession.Carlo is a cussed old fox whom cannot believe. a person without good faith.

    • 2
      0

      Every country has a local medical council and it is best to have specialized one to be in touch with GMC and others for help in postgraduate education and rapidly advancing “immortality” Ayurveda will next take over. Must destroy corruption not the established law and order. SAITM did not pay mafia fees as it was granted verdict to register with SLMC as a local uni. FMG were swindled and then 85% were failed to prevent local competition and were forced abroad. SAITM blocked by SLMC cant even go abroad and practice. GMOA/SLMC are using Harsha to deal the final death blow to SAITM and nobody even sees this gross injustice done to those who paid millions full course fee to a govt. approved institute. UGC & Neville are dumb.

  • 2
    0

    These are very simple Dr Calro. Whole Moratuwa University invention rights sold to a private IT company by out going VC for billion US D underhand deal. No one is talking about it. Right time to appoint Presidential Commission to check last six year rule of Moratuwa Univertsity likewise Bond Case.

  • 1
    0

    SLMC is above the law. No legal procedure, process, AGM, Annual reports apply to them. Their one decision is abolish SAITM and any private medical schools. PERIOD. Their second decision is that FMG have money to pay job agents and go abroad. So extract more money through repeated ERPM and fail 85% to go abroad permanently. SAITM has not that option and is strangulated full scale, but it also needs 100% onto internship like state MBBS, without midstream high jacking.
    The current struggle by GMOA for long overdue Marx elections is to put rebels back into SLMC. WAR+ SLMC did not protect patients but only their ideology from 2012-2016. SAITM only received injustice so far. SLMC will hide the 2nd report of radical inspection after Rizvi Shriff 9 and issued September 2015. All these outdated now by 2and 1/2 yr. and need fresh report of Free NFTH after Aug.2017, providing excellent clinical training. SAITM needs their blocked internship training.

  • 1
    0

    RTI looking for misinformation through Bribery Commission for GMOA to stop SAITM function using an ignorant misguided betraying SAITM parent GW. Raking up unnecessary past may not help as much as a voluntary SLMC inspection of valid current status of SAITM teaching hospital which can allow affiliation to whatever “OTHER INSTITUTE GUARANTEED VALID AS A MEDICAL FACULTY” What is required is a Medical Faculty approved by SLMC for internship like state and KDU. Any ERPM for FMG is illegal for SAITM as 85% failure there wont reach SLMC registration verdict already given to SAITM and which SLMC is moving heaven and hell to get it cancelled,

  • 0
    0

    If all this is right, a most disturbing state of affairs given that this is the premier professional institution in our land.

    All I can say “physician heal thyself!”

  • 2
    0

    Action should be taken against Carlo Fonseka for dereliction of duty as public funds are involved as a deterrent to others. Also those who appointed the aging man should take some responsibility.

    • 0
      0

      SLMC minimum standards is their biggest fraud with GMOA to the non medical politicians showing false ratio of hospital patients and students. Even if there are million patients in a teaching hospital, the students are taught using few select patients and are allowed to clerk a few in their limited time in wards. Lies, D.Lies and statistics. All those street marching, tent dwelling rebel MBBS will be SLMC approved.

  • 2
    0

    Karl Marx SLMC destroyed the future of 1000 SAITM medical students, specially now with free hospital and excellent clinical training in a hospital paid for by students money and gifted to govt. Now they want to grab it for “Z” while trying to penalize SAITM with fraudulent minimum standards and false new unrealistic patient/student ratios. It is a lie that all who were protesting on the streets were doing clinical training. It is the truth that they do not access all except for a few assigned patients. There are deficiencies in this short student life in all “clinicals” to be corrected to a basic level through internship. KM with GMOA in courts to prevent SAITM as both heads in “CONTEMPT” Now SLMA silent for 9 years is rushing in to show solidarity. Great comedy of “Nationalisation” It is a good thing for SAITM to work under GMOA and not politicians

  • 0
    0

    Look at the members of the SLMC- Dr. Upul Gunasekera, ” boot licker of politicos” as his highest qualification is a member of the SLMC. Isn’t it shameful that a Doctor whose designation is PRO of Minister is a member of the prestigious SLMC? Dr. Susitha Senaratne whose putrid, corrupt and shameful character exposed many times by CT is also a member of the council of the SLMC. How can Susitha Senaratne who was kicked out of Royal College Colombo 7 for sexual harassment of one of his A/L teachers be a member of the SLMC ethics committee? He is holding an illegal appointment in violation of the law of the country as a director of a tertiary care hospital when he has absolutely no qualifications. How can he hold ethics inquiries and disciplinary inquiries against others? Is the SLMC for real? Is this cursed, hopeless country for real?

    • 1
      0

      Shyam, Wait till SLMC elections are over. Ali Baba and 25 thieves with the GMOA thuggos will dictate to the distanced professionals, and do as they please. The drifting SAITM students will need to be rescued from this mafia, but nobody from top to bottom cares about others until right justice flows. Let it be outpoured now.
      GMOA will topple any private med. school and will use excuse of veiled statistical standards through this insane SLMC group. Governments come and go..

      • 0
        0

        Further facts re SLMC, Terry registrar had court case against SAITM with regard to his daughter not being allowed to jump batches and often quoted by MP S.B.Dissanayake. 2 deans have FMG children and want to delay SAITM. Also others have vested interest smarting under the verdict. The new prez. was not welcome by oldies. How can this corrupt body be trusted to guide or examine SAITM impartially

  • 0
    0

    Ah Phonetseka when will thy endcome with out retribution for horrendous misdeeds.

    • 0
      0

      GMOA trying to kill financial competition through SAITM elimination has major goal of Dr. Neville target. He is forced to sell off his assets to SLIIT just like Moratuwa VC did for profit. The finances of SAITM belong to students, not to Dr. Neville’s well laid out financial bank loans, debits.
      SAITM students have every right to sue Chairman who made false promises to deliver. He must stay with students and see to their rights for SLMC approval and then only to fade. He should leave behind students money to continue to run teaching programme till all students have completed what he promised and govt. approved. He should not claim students money and vanish. GMOA/SLMC targets this so they can offer Wayamba, to grab for Z. Politicians have no solution without understanding the system and the only solution is judicial finality.

  • 0
    0

    Except for new SLMC President trying to put the record straight, Prof. Colvin, the rest are insanely jealous of SAITM. Deans 1st recommendation was to stop admissions to SAITM, trying to paralyse the finances which pays for excellent clinical teaching. Where was the Medical Ordinance to help improve standards. GMOA mafia held SLMC Karl Marx willingly submitted by the neck, enjoying his revenge on Dr. Neville. Rest is history and the peratugami expression leading to brain panic. KM has reached Adam’s peak. Let’s watch the sunrise even on a flooded, hurricane tossed nation, longing for the true light. Surely, it has enough power to resonate back into harmony sans EQ & tsunami

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.