The Health Ministry has decided to extend the service period of specialist doctors in public service up to the age of 63 years, the Court of Appeal was informed yesterday (27).

The Attorney General, represented by the Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, informed the Court of Appeal of the Ministry’s decision.

The decision was informed when the writ petitions filed against the Cabinet decision to reduce the retirement age of specialist doctors to 60 years were taken up for hearing.

The petition filed by 176 doctors was taken up for hearing before the Court of Appeal President Justice Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R.Marikkar.

During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General informed the court that the Cabinet will take a decision on the matter soon.

He added that arrangements will also be made to make presentations on the matter to the court through a motion by June 30.