GMOA and AMS protest appointment at Castle Street Hospital

By Sheain Fernandopulle   
The appointment of Dr. Jayanga Thilakarathna as Resident Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (RO) at the Castle Street Hospital for Women (CSHW) has sparked significant backlash, with both the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) raising concerns over the violation of established transfer procedures.   
In letters to Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, both groups criticised the appointment as arbitrary, bypassing the Specialist Medical Officers’ Transfer Board. Dr. Thilakarathna, who holds a substantive post at Base Hospital Elpitiya and serves as Chairperson of Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH), is accused of securing the position at CSHW without following the annual transfer process approved by the Public Service Commission.   
The AMS further questioned how Dr. Thilakarathna could balance his duties as Chairperson of SJGH with a demanding role at CSHW. Both organisations urged the Ministry of Health to reverse the decision, warning of unrest among medical specialists if such irregularities persist.   
The Ministry has yet to respond to these objections.   
Daily Mirror’s several attempts to contact Health Ministry Secretary were unsuccessful.