First ever Nurses’ Council formed

Nethali Struys

The results of the first ever Nurses’ Council election were released yesterday at the Health Ministry.

Six members were elected out of 16 candidates. Additional Secretary Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana who released election results announced K M R Jayathilaka, I D S Illandara, L L Liyanage, R K Batuwitage, D M Palipana and A E J Arunasiri as elected through the election.

The election for the 20-member Nursing Council was held on April 9 at 21 centres islandwide. Fourteen out of the 20 persons appointed to the Nurses’ Council have been elected uncontested and in their ex-officio capacities. Six other candidates were elected through an election in which 7,903 voters were eligible to vote.

According to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, the main aim of establishing a Nurses’ Council is to provide the public with an efficient service.

The Nurses’ Council is tasked with maintaining a database of all nurses’ in the country, establishing a code of conduct and providing nurses’ with education.

The Nurses’ Council was established under the Sri Lanka Nurses’ Council (Amendment) Act, No: 35 of 2005.