Colombo, Feb. 28 – The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a series of island-wide professional actions, citing the government’s failure to honour written agreements aimed at addressing longstanding issues affecting doctors and the public health system.
In an official statement, the GMOA emphasized that strengthening Sri Lanka’s free healthcare services and resolving systemic hospital shortcomings should be a top priority for any administration. However, the association claimed that the current government has been evading its responsibilities.
Despite multiple discussions with the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka and relevant authorities, the GMOA said no constructive steps have been taken to address their concerns.
Key Demands by the GMOA
- Cabinet approval for a proposal to establish a special service category titled the “Sri Lanka Medical Service”, incorporating doctors of all categories.
- Updating the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance.
- Resolving transportation issues in accordance with Circular 22/99.
- Converting the additional duty allowance into a fixed allowance.
- Addressing issues related to research allowances.
- Addressing concerns of doctors engaged in postgraduate studies.
- Updating the approved cadre of doctors within the health system.
- Initiating time-bound discussions with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the above matters.
The GMOA has indicated that seven consecutive island-wide trade union actions have already been announced and are being implemented, pointing to what it describes as authorities’ failure to provide satisfactory solutions through dialogue.
The association warned that these professional actions will continue until meaningful progress is achieved.
