Prof. Jayantha Jayawardane who was removed as the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Vice President recently called for a reasonable hearing over his arbitrary removal.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Prof. Jayantha Jayawardana said his removal was neither legal nor reasonable.

“I was removed without a reasonable hearing and thus, the removal is an arbitrary decision by the Minister on the request of the SLMC President. The decision was also taken without the consent of the council members.”

Prof Jayawardana further stated that he is optimistic that justice would be meted out to him under the new health minister.

The SLMC President has reportedly briefed the Council members in a recently convened special council meeting on the removal of the Vice President, where he had reportedly said that he had not requested the Minister to remove Prof Jayawardana as a Council member.

However, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has reportedly stated that the Vice President was removed at the request of the SLMC President.

The council members had reportedly informed the SLMC President to convene an emergency council meeting to discuss the matters that transpired following the removal of Prof. Jayawardana.

The matter has also been challenged in court.

Prof. Jayawardane was the only member who was not getting a salary from the health ministry. (Sheain Fernandopulle)