The discussion scheduled for today (April 9) with the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) will not take place, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed.
Addressing Parliament regarding the ongoing medical strike, Minister Jayatissa stated, “If this is the situation, I will not continue with the discussion planned for today… This strike is unfair. We, as the government, are prepared to face it.”
The Minister further clarified that the strike, carried out by a small group for political motives, should not continue. He assured that new medical officers scheduled to assume duties today will receive the necessary security to report for work without fear.
Minister Jayatissa also highlighted that any grievances regarding post-internship medical appointments should be addressed through the courts.
“There has been a strike for five days. On one hand, there is no justification for such action amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. On the other, the reason cited is the granting of appointments to post-internship doctors. The striking doctors claim that the GMOA should prepare the appointment list.
“The transfer boards are not relevant to first appointments. Last Tuesday, a group of these doctors was summoned to Colombo and threatened not to take up GMOA appointments. They were warned that consequences would follow for those who accepted appointments. Threats have continued through the media.
“Out of 453 doctors in the group, 436 applied by April 4, requesting appointments. Of the remaining 17, sixteen had not completed the RHO properly after their internship, and one individual simply did not apply. There is no basis for this strike.”
