Not interested in SLMC post: Carlo

31 December 2011 05:00 am

In the midst of controversy over Prof. Carlo Fonseka’s appointment as Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Chief in the coming month which certain groups in the medical profession had protests against in fear of an impending crisis in the medical sector, Fonseka said today that he was not interested in the SLMC Chief.
 
Some 40 medical organisations including the Government Medical Officers Association which comprised a majority of doctors in the public sector had appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to refrain from appointing Fonseka as the new chief and to instead allow incumbent SLMC President Lalitha Mendis to remain as SLMC chief for another two an a half years until her term ends.
 
“At this stage in my life I’m not looking for a new job. If the authorities appoint her it is fine by me,” Fonseka said adding that Prof. Mendis was once a pupil of his who was willing and able to continue as SLMC chief. In the meantime informed sources said Prof. Fonseka had met with President Rajapaksa last week for reasons unknown.
 
Prof. Mendis had given in an early resignation letter to resign on January 1 but later requested to stay on after medical organisations urged her to stay following concerns of medical organisations of an impending crisis in the medical sector and threats to the medical profession. They said appointing Fonseka would be detrimental to the medical sector. (Olindhi Jayasundere)