In a recent development, the Ministry of Health has announced its decision to extend the compulsory retirement age for specialist doctors in the public service to 63 years. This decision was conveyed to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General on Tuesday during the hearing of a writ application filed by 176 specialist doctors challenging a Cabinet decision to revise the retirement age of government doctors.
Initially, on October 17, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a revision to the retirement age of specialist doctors, setting it at 60 years. However, in response to the petition, the Health Ministry’s secretary informed the Attorney General that health authorities have decided to extend the retirement age to 63 years.
During the court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, representing the Attorney General, informed the judge bench that the Cabinet of Ministers is also expected to make a decision regarding this matter.
President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, who represented the petitioners, expressed his appreciation for the decision taken by the health authorities to extend the retirement age for specialist doctors.
Considering the urgency of the situation, the Appeals Court judge bench, presided by Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A. Marikkar, agreed to hear the petition today itself, as requested by the president’s counsel. This decision comes as some specialist doctors were scheduled to retire from service on June 30.
