GMOA requests President to remove Health Minister

Colombo (News 1st): The GMOA has requested the President to remove Minister of Health Dr Rajitha Senaratne from his position with immediate effect.  The letter requesting for legal action to be taken against the Health Minister highlights three main reasons. The first is the interference of the minister in the investigations into the conduct of a doctor in Kurunegala and the minister appointing an unreliable committee to investigate the allegations against the doctor to unduly influence the investigations. The second reason mentioned in the letter are the revelations made by the audit report of billions of rupees being misappropriated at the Health Ministry, for the issuance of expired and sub-standard medicine to the general public, and putting the lives of the people at risk. The GMOA points out that the decision by the Court of Appeal holding the appointment made by the Minister to the Medicines Regulatory Authority to be illegal is grounds for the minister's removal. The GMOA requests the President to take over the Ministry of Health and immediately remove Dr Rajitha Senaratne from his position. Meanwhile, Minister Rajitha Senaratne was reappointed as a Deputy Chairperson of the World Health Organization at the executive committee session for 2019 – 2020. He was appointed at the 72nd annual convention of the World Health Organization that commenced in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday (May 29).