The Government Medical Officers' Association yesterday accused Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne of various malpractices he was allegedly responsible of, including nepotism.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, GMOA Secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath said that Senaratne's wife and even children were representing the minister in some meetings at the Health Ministry. Herath asked as to how this could happen.

Meanwhile, he alleged that the ministry properties were being used to bolster the political image of Senaratne and his children. Health Ministry vehicles were used in flood relief distribution by one such foundation connected to the Senaratne family, Herath also said.

The minister was extremely close with certain multinational corporations, Herath also added.

He asked the President to replace the Minister and appoint a suitable person. If there was no suitable person to be appointed minister, the President himself should take over the ministry, he said.

Senaratne hit out at the GMOA at a function in Kalutara last evening, claiming that the government has fulfilled all possible demands of the GMOA. However, it is interfering in ministry work, he added.

He also said that the government was not going to be intimidated by this 'mafia.'