Specialist doctors’ retirement age increased to 63 years: Attorney General

27 June 2023 02:01 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today that the health authorities have taken a decision to raise the retirement age of Consultant Specialists Doctors to 63 years.

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle PC appearing for the Attorney General told court that he had received instructions from the Secretary to the Ministry of Health that the age of retirement of the petitioners would be raised to 63 years, and a Cabinet decision would be taken to this effect as well.

ASG Pulle made this revelation consequent to a writ petition filed by 176 consultant specialist doctors challenging the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 17.10.2022.
He moved Court that he be permitted to file the same by way of a motion and have the matter mentioned on 30 June.

President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appearing for the petitioners appreciated this decision citing it as a welcome move.

However, he strongly objected to the case going down as late as 30 June as the petitioners will risk having to retire by 30 June. He moved that until the new proposal is effected, he either be permitted to make submissions today or for the case to be fixed for support tomorrow itself for the Attorney General to enter terms tomorrow, if the matter is settled meaningfully.

Jayawardene PC moved that the court be pleased to record the Attorney General's submission.
Romesh de silva PC appearing for some other petitioners, also moved for the matter to be fixed for support tomorrow.

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal fixed the matter for support tomorrow (28) and it was recorded that the proposed settlement is to allow all the categories of medical professionals set out in the document marked A4, to continue in service till 63 years.

The petitioners are Specialist Consultants in varied fields of medicine including Cardiology, Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Oncology, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Haematology, Opthalmogy, Histopathology, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics and Auto-Rhinolaryngology.

They alleged that this decision has been made illegally and in complete violation of their legitimate expectation to continue in service at least till 63 years of age. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Comments - 8

Gabriella Tuesday, 27 June 2023 06:30 PM

If a person is fit, healthy, competent, and proven capable, why have a retirement age ? At 63, people are still running marathons and competing in triathlons.

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Some of the public might like 60 plus old specialists but I would keep away from any over 55 Tuesday, 27 June 2023 10:30 PM

Most people are waning by the time they are 63. Maybe the old people can compete in some physical activities, but there mental facilities are much deteriorated compared to someone 15 years younger. I would much prefer knowing the age of the specialist, and would keep away from any getting close to 55 year age. There might be older people who like older specialists, but I wouldn't trust older specialists.

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Sivalingam Wednesday, 28 June 2023 02:27 AM

Most of these doctors are in private hospitals most of the time, yet they want to get paid from public tax money.

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Kabir Hashim Wednesday, 28 June 2023 02:29 AM

These doctors are not different to leeches of Diyawannawa doing private practice while getting govt salaries.

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Dulanjoli Premadosa Wednesday, 28 June 2023 02:30 AM

Doctors are special, doctors deserve special treatment unlike the hoi polloi.

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Thuwan Cassim Thursday, 29 June 2023 10:00 PM

Most of them work 75% private, 25% at Government hospital, they want to remain there because after retirement they can't influence to sent their patients from private practice. They just work by phone or whatsapp advice to junior doctors for Government hospital patients, getting all the perks and pension until death. They too should go as all others at 60 paving the way to Junior specialist in waiting at popular station and make millions without paying due taxes.

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Cassim Zaza Friday, 30 June 2023 12:11 AM

There is a retirement age for all except 225. Even at 85 cringing and crawling yet retained for what?

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ANNECUNT Tuesday, 04 July 2023 02:05 PM

WHY SRI-LANKAN POLITICIANS DO NOT RETIRE

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