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• Industry body claims irregularities in transfer of MOs
• TU action to commence today if no response

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stated that its decision on launching an islandwide strike today (11) will depend on Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa giving a written assurance to resolve problems related to transfers of medical officers and appointment lists.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (10), GMOA Media Committee Member Dr. Prasad Colombage said that the union expected the Health Minister to issue a written assurance on resolving the issues concerning transfers and appointment lists before deciding on launching the strike.

“At our meeting on Friday (8) with the Executive Committee, the Minister verbally promised to act on the requests we made. He said that he would discuss them with ministry officials and take the necessary steps. However, we have requested his assurance in writing. He told us he could not provide a written statement today as it is Sunday, so we expect him to do so tomorrow,” he added.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni was not available for comment.

The GMOA last week warned that it would begin islandwide trade union action if the Health Ministry failed to resolve what it described as unlawful transfers and errors in appointment lists. According to the association, the issues affect 23,000 doctors, including 10,000 who have already been granted transfers but are unable to move, as well as 1,004 post-intern doctors whose placements have allegedly been mishandled.

The association further stated that some vacancies listed in hospitals were for units that did not exist, placing doctors at a disadvantage, and that reductions in the Difficult Station Transfer List had left around 200 hospitals at risk of closure. It called for urgent corrective action on the Post-Intern Vacancy List, Difficult Station List, and Annual Transfer List for 2025. 

It was further reported that around 2,000 doctors across the country would participate in strike action if the matter was not resolved.