SJB MP Kavinda’s “Dr.” title questioned in Parliament

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Claiming that no one can use the title of a medical doctor  without being registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as  per the Medical Ordinance, government MP Dr. Janaka Senaratne yesterday  challenged SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena to produce his SLMC  registration.  
He told Parliament that MP Jayawardena had used the title  “medical doctor” on Facebook, Parliament website and that  according to the medical ordinance, no one has a right to use the title   “medical doctor” without registering with the SLMC.  
Responding to the allegation, MP Jayawardena said he  refuted the allegations and stated that he graduated from the Sri Ramachandra Medical  College in India and that he was registered as a medical doctor after a one-year internship in India.  
The MP said he decided to give up the medical profession  and take up full-time politics after the death of his father, Dr. Jayalath  Jayawardena in 2013.  
“If I want to practice as a medical doctor in the USA  tomorrow, I can sit for the Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and  become a doctor. If I want to move to Australia, I can sit for AMC exam  and become a doctor or practice as a doctor in England by doing PLAB  test,” he said and added that he was not expecting to practice in Sri  Lanka if he wanted he would do as needed.  
Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip and Health Minister Dr.  Nalinda Jayatissa said no one can produce registration numbers obtained  in India and claim as a medical doctor in Sri Lanka.  
He said medical doctors who pass out from foreign  universities are required to sit for the ERPM exam, complete a one-year  internship and obtain SLMC registration and that it is illegal to use  the title of medical doctor in Sri Lanka without following that  procedure.