- Doctors warn action may continue if talks are delayed
The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has given Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa until 8.00 a.m. today (06) to initiate discussions on ending their ongoing strike.
Speaking to the media yesterday (5), GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said the association decided to set the deadline due to the Minister’s reluctance to engage in discussions on the issues raised by doctors.
He said the continuation of the strike would depend on the Minister’s response, adding the association was prepared to take further decisions based on developments.
Dr. Sugathadasa warned that delays in resolving the dispute would ultimately affect patients seeking treatment. “We have already informed the Health Minister not to inconvenience patients. People are unable to receive proper medical services because the Minister is delaying decisions. If he agrees to come to the negotiating table, we can immediately consider whether to withdraw the trade union action,” he said.
He added that the GMOA has delegated authority to its Executive Council to take further decisions regarding the strike.
The strike launched by Government doctors in protest against the alleged politicisation of post-internship appointments and doctor transfers continued yesterday. Patients visiting government hospitals across the country, including the National Hospital in Colombo, experienced considerable difficulties, except for emergency and essential treatment services.
The GMOA had earlier resumed token strike action from 8.00 a.m. yesterday following unresolved concerns over alleged irregular transfers and post-internship appointments.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister said that all arrangements have been made to issue the first appointments to post-internship doctors — a key demand of the striking doctors — before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
In the wake of Dr. Jayatissa stating the dispute over post-intern appointments had been resolved, the GMOA alleged that junior doctors had submitted applications under pressure and threats from authorities.
Dr. Sugathadasa claimed that doctors eligible to apply for vacancies were subjected to intimidation, including threats of termination from public service, suspension of salaries and eviction from official quarters.
He said professionals prefer to resolve disputes through dialogue but accused the Minister of avoiding meaningful engagement.
However, Minister Jayatissa maintained the transfers were carried out legally and described the strike as unacceptable.
He said the Government has the capacity to resolve the remaining issues and added that several concerns raised by the GMOA have already been addressed, with further solutions to follow.
According to the Minister, out of 453 eligible doctors, 435 have submitted applications for post-intern appointments, and the final list is currently being prepared.