Amid growing unrest over the unpublished gazette on the retirement age of medical specialists, the Ministry of Public Administration has decided to expedite its release, potentially preventing the premature retirement of over 200 specialists.
Sources disclosed that Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa recently submitted a fresh proposal addressing the Court of Appeal’s ruling to retain the retirement age for specialist doctors in state hospitals at 63 years, a practice followed since 2018.
The delay in issuing the official gazette had left more than 200 specialists in Sri Lanka uncertain about their future, with many facing the prospect of premature retirement.
Despite cabinet approval on 19th of June 2024, and the Court of Appeal’s directive, the Ministry of Public Administration had yet to implement the decision through an official circular or gazette until now.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration has since taken action to ensure the gazette is published, enabling the issuance of the necessary circular to address the issue.
This delay had caused significant anxiety among specialists approaching the age of 60 by 31st of December, leaving them uncertain about whether they could continue their service.
