SJB MP Kavinda’s ’’Dr.’’ title questioned in Parliament
Claiming that no one can use the title of a medical doctor without being registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as per the Medical Ordinance, government MP Dr. Janaka Senaratne today challenged SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena to produce his SLMC registration.
He told Parliament that MP Jayawardena had used the title “medical doctor” on Facebook, Parliament website and that according to the medical ordinance, no one has a right to use the title “medical doctor” without registering with the SLMC.
Responding to the allegation, MP Jayawardena said he refuted the allegations and stated that he graduated from the Sri Ramachandra Medical College in India and that he was registered as a medical doctor after a one-year internship in India.
The MP said he decided to give up the medical profession and take up full-time politics after the death of his father, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena in 2013.
“If I want to practice as a medical doctor in the USA tomorrow, I can sit for the Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and become a doctor. If I want to move to Australia, I can sit or AMC exam and become a doctor or practice as a doctor in England by doing PLAB test,” he said and added that he was not expecting to practice in Sri Lanka if he wanted he would do as needed.
Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said no one can produce registration numbers obtained in India and claim as a medical doctor in Sri Lanka.
He said medical doctors who pass out from foreign universities are required to sit for the ERPM exam, complete a one-year internship and obtain SLMC registration and that it is illegal to use the title of medical doctor in Sri Lanka without following that procedure.
The Minister said all the medical doctors in Parliament except for the MP in question can produce their SLMC registration number.
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