SC allows GMOA to intervene in SAITM appeal

The Supreme Court yesterday allowed the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) to intervene into the Appeal filed by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) challenging the Court of Appeal judgement to register a student of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine Limited (SAITM)in Malabe provisionally as a medical practitioner in terms of Section 29(2) of the Medical Ordinance.

However, the Supreme Court rejected a request made by four medical students to intervene into the Appeal.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew and Anil Goonaratne fixed the Appeal for support on August 3 and 4.

Through this appeal petition, the SLMC sought an order to set aside the judgment dated January 31, 2017 by Court of Appeal.

The petitioner further sought an interim order to stay the operation of the judgment made in the writ application bearing No.CA Writ 187/2016 by Court of Appeal.

Delivering its judgment on the writ petition filed by a MBBS graduate of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine Limited (SAITM) in Malabe, the Court of Appeal on January 31 held that SAITM is empowered to grant MBBS degrees and further held that the petitioner has legal rights to register at the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as a medical practitioner in accordance with the Medical Ordinance.

Court of Appeal Justice Vijith Malalgoda (President) and Justice S.Thurairajah had observed that the petitioner,a MBBS graduate of SAITM has no obstacle to register at SLMC as a medical practitioner in terms of Section 29 (2) of the Medical Ordinance.

The Court of Appeal observed that on or around August 30, 2011, the former Higher Education Minister recognised SAITM as a degree awarding institute in terms of Section 25 (A) of the Universities Act No.16 of 1978.

The Court of Appeal further observed that the Higher Education Minister has not taken any steps to revoke the concerned decision in terms of the Section 27 of the said Act.

“SAITM is empowered to grant a MBBS degree,” the Court observed.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal observed that the SLMC has no power to take over the functions of the Higher Education Minister and further observed that the SLMC had acted in violation of Section 19 of the Medical Ordinance when making regulations relating to SAITM.

The Court further held that the SLMC had acted in violation of the Medical Ordinance without having any power to do so.

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva appeared for the SLMC. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Sugath Caldera appeared for the respondent.

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.

President’s Counsel Faiz Musthapha appeared for SAITM.