• Cite issues with admin. transfers/placements for proposed token strike 

The Government Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA), which is set to launch an island-wide token strike on 6 November of this year over what it describes as the administrative collapse within the Dental Services Division of the Ministry of Health, stated that there has been no response to any of their requests made to the Minister of Health, the Ministry Secretary, or the Director General of Health Services (DGHS).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, GDSA President Dr. Nadun Dhammika claimed that although the Deputy DG – Dental Services – continues to carry out his duties, the issue lies with the Director – Dental Services, Dr. Usha Jayasuriya, who, according to him, has failed to fulfil her administrative responsibilities. “She is responsible for handling all matters such as the transfers and placements of dental surgeons, but she doesn’t do that. She doesn’t even sit on the transfer boards.”

He added that as a result, many dental surgeons have had to serve at the same hospitals for five to six years without transfers. “Because of this issue, there is also a trend of dental surgeons leaving the Government service and starting private practices. The transfers that should have been activated in January of this year are still pending. This affects both the private and professional lives of dental surgeons."

He further alleged that Dr. Jayasuriya does not listen to anyone, not even the Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. “We have written to the Minister, the Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and the DGHS Dr. Asela Gunawardena, but there has been no response. If this continues, there will soon be no dental surgeons remaining in the public service.”

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Dr. Jayasuriya said: "Just because someone makes allegations, it doesn’t mean that I should respond to them. It would be better if you asked the DGHS about this matter."

Dr. Gunawardena and the Health Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni were unavailable for comment.

The GDSA earlier stated that the decision to launch the strike was unanimously approved by its Executive Committee after 18 months of unsuccessful efforts to resolve serious administrative failures through the official channels. Despite continued discussions with the Ministry and the relevant officials, the GDSA charged that no corrective action has been taken. It also stressed that the planned strike is not politically motivated but a collective action aimed at safeguarding the future of the Government dental service.