The Court of Appeal quashes the former Health Minister's decision to remove SLMC members

The Court of Appeal today issued a writ of certiorari quashing former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniaarachi's decision.

to remove Prof. Harendra de Silva as President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and remove four others as Council Members of the SLMC.

Former President of Sri Lanka Medical Council Prof. Harendra de Silva and four council members, Dr. Sunil Rathnapriya, Dr. Upul Gunasekara, Prof. Narada Digagamini, and Dr Pushpitha Dharshana Sunil Ubeysiri filed writ petitions challenging their removal from SLMC by the Minister of Health.

A Court of Appeal two-judge bench comprised of Justices Mohomed Lafar and S.U.B. Karalliyadde further issued a writ of prohibition, preventing Prof. Vajira Dissanayake from assuming office or further functioning as the President of the SLMC.

The Court further prevented Prof. Bandula Wijesiriwardene, Dr Dilrukshi Ruberu, Dr Vajira Senarathna, and Prof. Jayalath Jayawardane from assuming office as members of the SLMC.

President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena and Upul Jayasuriya PC appeared for the petitioners. Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Minister of Health. Romesh de Silva PC, Shavindra Fernando PC, and Navin Marapana PC appeared as the other respondents.