Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed the health sector to be included under the jurisdiction of the Central Government in the draft for the new Constitution. He did so following a request made by Government Medical Officers’ Association President Consultant Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya during a discussion held at Temple Trees, yesterday.
The Prime Minister also instructed the Education Ministry to explore the possibility of implementing a mechanism through which doctors could be produced at the at the age of 22 to 23. Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said a Cabinet Memorandum would be submitted next week seeking approval for holding the GCE Advanced Level Examination in December and GCE Ordinary Level examinations in August in order to reduce the nine-month gap between the resuming of studies.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that the Medical Council should be maintained as an independent body and questioned whether the retirement age of medical officers could be increased to 62 or 63.
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Atygalle, and Health Ministry Secretary (Rtd.) Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe were also present
