Colombo – May 30, 2025 — Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has issued a stern warning over the growing wave of public sector strikes, calling them “very unfair” and deeply damaging to the nation’s most vulnerable.
With the healthcare sector facing severe disruptions, Minister Jayatissa condemned certain unions for launching strike actions at a time when the government is actively working to resolve longstanding issues.
“Some unions are engaging constructively with us, looking for real solutions,” the Minister told reporters. “But others are giving in to internal pressure and striking without any regard for the public, especially patients who rely on essential medical services.”
The minister emphasized that these strikes, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, are having a disproportionate impact on poor and helpless citizens. “The people suffering the most have no voice in these decisions,” he said. “They are being held hostage in a tug-of-war between politics and power plays.”
Jayatissa insisted that the government is not turning a blind eye to grievances but is instead addressing problems that have been piling up for years. “We inherited these issues, and we’re working through them. But triggering chaos through unfair strikes only delays the solutions,” he added.
The comments come amid rising public frustration as key services remain stalled, sparking nationwide concern over service delivery breakdowns. As unions continue to flex their muscle, the spotlight now falls on whether compromise or confrontation will define Sri Lanka’s path forward.
