Tribunal lifts suspension of medical practitioner

23 Jan 2015

Dr Wijeneka Liyanage - suspension on registration lifted following appeal.

The Northern Territory Health Professional Review Tribunal has lifted the suspension of Dr Wijeneka Liyanage.

The Medical Board of Australia had on 14 November 2014 taken interim action to protect the health and safety of the public by suspending Dr Liyanage’s registration and his practice of medicine, pending other inquiries.

The tribunal handed down its decision on 8 December 2014 after hearing Dr Liyanage’s appeal against the Board’s interim decision.

As a regulator, the Board is bound to act to protect the public. Under the regulatory principles that guide decision-making in the National Scheme, the Board’s primary consideration is to manage risk to patients, protect the public and take timely and necessary action under the National Law.

The tribunal has returned Dr Liyanage to the register so he can practise medicine, having made a different assessment of the interim risk to the public.

Given this matter has not concluded, AHPRA and the National Board will make no further comment at this time.

The reasons for the decision are on the AustLII website.

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

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