– Health and Mass Media Minister has instructed Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe to appoint a six-member expert committee to study the establishment of an intermediate cadre for medical officers and submit recommendations within one month.

The committee will be headed by Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hasanka Wijemuni.The committee has been tasked with examining the definition of the proposed intermediate cadre, the medical specializations to be included, the procedure for selecting medical officers, the required period of service, benefits and the transfer process.It will also obtain views and suggestions from relevant professional institutes and other stakeholders before submitting its recommendations to the Ministry.

Dr. Amila Suranga, Community Medicine Specialist of the Planning Division, will serve as the committee secretary Additional Secretary (Medical Services) Dr. W. K. Wickramasinghe, Senior Professor Henrath H. D. N. P. Opatha of the Department of Human Resource Management at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Professor Dilip de Silva of the University of Peradeniya, and Deputy Director General of Health Services (Medical Services II) Dr. Samindi Samarakoon have been appointed as members.