I will act independently: SLMC Chairman

The newly appointed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), Dr.Colvin Gunaratne yesterday said he would function as expected and act in accordance with the SLMC Act to independently perform his duties.

“The government has appointed me and I will do my job,”said Dr.Gunaratne as his appointment drew fury among state medical students and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday. The former engaged in a protest outside the SLMC while the latter convened a media briefing to state that Dr.Gunaratne’s appointment was an attempt to silence the SLMC.

Dr.Gunaratne’s predecessor, 84-year-old Prof.Carlo Fonseka too joined the student protests and alleged that the current chairman was appointed because he was a supporter of SAITM.

In reply to such allegations, Dr.Gunaratne said, “He is the man who visited the student protester who broke into the Ministry of Health in prison and came out to say that he would overthrow the government. So, it doesn’t matter what he says”.

The post of SLMC Chairman had been left vacant for three months, ever since Prof.Fonseka’s term came to an end on June 30. te