Doctors’ union holds urgent meeting to discuss action against attack on doctor

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has called an urgent meeting of the executive committee of the union to discuss the trade union action to be taken to protest the attack on the Registrar of Sri Lanka Medical Council, Dr. N.J. Nonis.

The committee was to meet at 12 noon yesterday to study the outcome of the investigation into the attack, according to the vice secretary of the GMOA Upul Gunasekara.

GMOA charges that the attack on Dr. Nonis is a part of an organised move against the bodies and the individuals that work to guarantee the right of the people to obtain a qualitative medical service.

The union says the SLMC is a government institution responsible for medicine and health education in the country and any attack on its personnel is an attack against the health sector.

However, the Council is accused of acting against the degree granting status of the Private Medical College in Malabe.

Dr. Nonis recently opposed a move by the Higher Education Ministry to grant approval for a private medical college to offer medical degrees.

The GMOA launched a token strike on Wednesday urging the President to investigate the attack on Dr. Nonis and bring the attackers to justice.

An unidentified two-member gang attacked Dr. Nonis Tuesday night near his residence at Rawatawatte, Moratuwa when he was reaching home after work.

The police have arrested an ex-air force employee on suspicion of launching the attack on Dr. Nonis and are looking for a second suspect.