• Medical TU’s to strike against MoH gag order

The Ministry of Health remains steadfast regarding the circular issued prohibiting health workers from making statements to the media without the Ministry’s approval, The Daily Morning learns.

This is amidst the health trade unions yesterday (30) stating that they have organised a token strike on Thursday 03 August in response to the failure of the Ministry to withdraw the circular.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday (30) the Association of Health Professionals’ President Ravi Kumudesh expressed that the Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandraguptha has not yet responded to their demands regarding the relevant circular.

He also said that a special conference will be held on 03 August, where health professionals and civil organisations affiliated with the health sector will together reveal many other issues in the National Health Service.

Earlier Kumudesh told The Daily Morning that they have already addressed the Secretary to the Ministry Janaka Sri Chandraguptha, requesting the amendment of the circular issued by him in which they stated that the circular should be amended in a way that does not curtail the privileges enjoyed by public officers under Section XXXI of the Establishment Code – Exercise of the Rights of Association and Expression of Opinion.

Kumudesh also said that all the other trade unions affiliated with the health sector unanimously agreed with the decision taken to launch trade union actions against the circular issued by the Ministry, taking this issue as an attempt to curtail the fundamental rights which are enshrined in the Constitution.

The Trade unionist charged that Chandraguptha has failed to reply to the letter sent by the health professionals, adding however that all the actions which are to be taken in this regard will depend on the move taken by him (Chandraguptha).

The said controversial circular signed by Chandraguptha states that disciplinary action will be taken against any official that provides information to the media, without the consent of the Department head. It was issued for all officers including Provincial Health Secretaries, the Heads of institutions of the Ministry, Provincial Directors of Health Services and Regional Health Services Directors.

Attention has been drawn to the judgement issued under Supreme Court case number SC/FR/371/2022 (Dr. Galmangoda Gurage Chamal Sanjeewa vs. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health and Others) that State officials do not have the legal right to release information to the media without the prior permission of the Department head.

However, when contacted by The Daily Morning Chandraguptha said that there will be no change made to the circular issued by the Ministry.