CA quashes Health Minister’s decision to remove Prof. Harendra and others from SLMC

The Court of Appeal today issued a writs of Certiorari quashing former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniaarachi's decision.

to remove Prof. Harendra de Silva as President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and removing fours others as Council Members of the SLMC.

Former President of Sri Lanka Medical Council Prof. Harendra de Silva and four council members, Dr. Sunil Rathnapriya, Dr. Upul Gunasekara, Prof. Narada Warnasuriya and Dr. Pushpika Ubeysiri filed Writ petitions challenging their removal from SLMC by the Minister of Health. 

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench bench comprising Justices Mohomed Lafar and S.U.B. Karalliyadde further issued a writs of prohibition, preventing Prof. Vajira Dissanayake from assuming office or further functioning as the President of the SLMC. The Court further prevented the Prof. Bandula Wijesiriwardene, Dr. Dilrukshi Ruberu, Dr. Vajira Senarathna and Prof. Jayalath Jayawardane assuming office as members of the SLMC. 

President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for Prof. Harendra de Silva and two other petitioners. Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC appeared for two other petitioners.  Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Minister of Health. Romesh de Silva PC, Shavindra Fernando PC and Navin Marapana PC appeared for the other respondents.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)