Council members question Medical Council Chairman’s arbitrary behaviour

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Several members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) have raised concerns over its President, Professor Vajira Dissanayake, who has come under criticism for his arbitrary decisions.   
According to council members, Dissanayake is said to have been overseas on several occasions during the last few months without informing the council and requesting the Vice President to cover up his duties. Even at present, he is overseas.   

As any other public official, when overseas leave is taken for official or private purposes, it is a must for the particular officer to obtain approval for such leave from the governing body or the Chief Administrative Officer and do the needful to appoint another officer to act for him. The Cabinet ministers and all other officials comply with this requirement.   

Meanwhile, the council members stressed that at present there are many issues of public importance with the SLMC, but the council members are unable to contact the President to clarify any such issues.   

Many council members have requested the President to convene an emergency council meeting to discuss such issues. However, the Registrar is unable to convene such a meeting since the President is not available in the country and he had been asked not to do so.    Since the SLMC hear is currently overseas, several attempts to contact Prof Dissanayake have failed.   
-Prof. Dissanayake is said to have been overseas on several occasions during the last few months without informing the council and requesting the Vice President to cover up his duties. Even at present, he is overseas.