SLCP should be represented in NMRA: Prof. Vasantha Devasiri

Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians President Prof. Vasantha Devasiri said terminating Dr. Fernando’s service with the NMRA, eventually led to losing their representation.   

“We firmly believe the SLCP should have a position in the Board of National Medicines Regulatory Authority, as we represent the total healthcare needs of our children in Sri Lanka,’ Prof. Devasiri underlined.   

Dr. Fernando received the termination letter dated April 1, informing him that the Ministry of Health had decided to reform the NMRA and appoint new members to the Board.   

“The SLCP decided unanimously to nominate Dr. Lak Kumar Fernando to represent the college as a Board member of the NMRA because he is ideally qualified and bears the credibility to represent us in the NMRA,” Prof. Devasiri said.   

He said they had received a letter from the Secretary to the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, requesting the SLCP to nominate three members to the Board of NMRA.   

“This letter misleads us. Although this letter was in contrary to the NMRA Act, we have nominated three members from the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians. However, two of these members had refused to accept their respective nomination, and this was clearly communicated to the Ministry of Health,” Prof. Devasiri pointed out.   
“Therefore Dr. Lak Kumar Fernando is the only nominee to represent the SLCP in the Board of the NMRA. However, we have lost our representation in the NMRA due to the services of Dr. Fernando being terminated,” he highlighted.