SC issues interim injunction order against medical interns

Colombo (News 1st): The Supreme Court issued an interim injunction order today (Feb 26) against the appointment of students who obtained their medical degrees from Government Medical Faculties and the KDU Faculty of Medicine, as medical interns. Supreme Court Justices Prasanna Jayawardena, P. Pathman Surasena and S. Thurairajah considered the fundamental rights petition filed by three medical degree students from SAITM and issued the order which will be in effect until the 27th of next month. The petition claims, authorities decided to absorb an intake of interns while excluding 85 SAITM graduates who possess the requirements to be appointed as interns. The Supreme court bench issued the interim injunction after President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya presented facts on behalf of the petitioners on the basis that his client's right to equality under the constitution of Sri Lanka had been violated. Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarante, Ministry Secretary, the Sri Lanka Medical Council, the Attorney General, and Director General Anil Jasinghe have been listed as respondents in the case. Counsel appearing for the petitioners informed court that a Supreme Court ruling had confirmed, the students who obtained their degree from SAITM can engage in the medical profession following registration with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. A large group who were informed to obtain their appointments as interns were at Temple Trees today. Appointments were to be presented to the group under the auspices of the Prime Minister. However, following a court order the program was suspended.

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