Retirement age of specialist doctors raised to 63

• The petitioners are Specialist Consultants in varied fields of medicine 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Attorney General yesterday informed Court of Appeal that the Health Authorities have taken a decision to raise the retirement age of Consultant Specialists to 63 years.
Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle PC appearing for the Attorney General told court that he 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 the 30th of June.   

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appearing for the petitioners appreciated this decision citing it was a welcome move. However, he strongly objected to the case going down as late as 30th of June as the petitioners will risk having to retire by the 30th of June. He moved that until the new proposal is effected, he either be permitted to make submissions yesterday or for the case to be fixed for support today (28) itself for the Attorney General to enter terms tomorrow, if the matter is settled in a meaningful manner.  Jayawardena 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 today.