The recent release of the report of a panel of inquiry that probed the affairs of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and the subsequent removal of its President and four members by the Minister of Health has brought to the surface many problems concerning this important statutory body. It is well known that the inquiry was initiated by a complaint made by the office-bearers of a powerful trade union who happen to be members of the council.
Many deficiencies, shortcomings and irregularities in the report itself have been exposed. The impartiality of the inquiring panel has also come into question. It appears that the inquiry, meant to be of a fact-finding nature, had erroneously recommended punitive action.