By In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of a medical practitioner who falsely posed as a consultant radiologist, deceiving patients and issuing medical certificates without the required qualifications.
The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and its Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) found the doctor guilty of misconduct after he was discovered using a rubber stamp to introduce himself as a consultant radiologist and running a private channelling practice. Despite lacking the necessary board certification from the Post-Graduate Institute of Medicine, he continued to mislead patients.
Following an inquiry, the PCC initially imposed a one-year suspension, later reducing it to six months after considering mitigating submissions. The doctor, who admitted to the misconduct but claimed he pleaded guilty only to expedite the inquiry, filed a writ petition seeking relief—only to be met with a firm dismissal by the Court of Appeal.
Justice S. U. B. Karalliyadde, with Justice Mayadunne Corea in agreement, ruled that the PCC had acted within its full legal authority under Section 25(1) of the Medical Ordinance. The court emphasized the need for strict action against such ethical violations to maintain public trust in the medical profession.
This case serves as a stark warning against fraudulent medical practices in Sri Lanka. With regulatory bodies tightening their grip, those who attempt to deceive the public with false credentials may soon find themselves facing severe consequences.
