Following unrest and concerns over the unpublished gazette regarding the retirement age of medical specialists, which threatened the premature retirement of over 200 specialists, the Ministry of Public Administration has decided to take immediate steps to publish the gazette notification.
Sources indicate that Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa submitted a fresh note addressing the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which affirmed that the retirement age for specialist doctors in state hospitals should remain at 63 years, a practice followed since 2018.
Despite the ruling and Cabinet approval on June 19, 2024, the Ministry of Public Administration had delayed the publication of the necessary circular or gazette. This delay had left over 200 specialist doctors uncertain about their future, particularly those approaching the age of 60 by December 31, who were unsure if they would be allowed to continue serving.
The current Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration is taking swift action to resolve the situation, ensuring the new gazette is issued promptly, allowing the official circular to follow soon after. This move aims to clarify the retirement situation for affected specialists and bring an end to the uncertainty they face.
