(COLOMBO) – The Sri Lankan Tri Forces were called on Tuesday to support operations in hospitals after thousands of health workers launched a strike throughout most State hospitals in the country, officials said.
The Tri Forces were called in following an urgent request from the Ministry of health as hundreds of thousands of patients were affected, they said.
However doctors and nursing staff opted to stay out of the trade union action and flayed the strikers for making unreasonable demands when the country is currently facing an economic free fall since 2020.
Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage said his troops had been deployed in most State hospitals throughout the country to help out in the crisis but conceded his men had limited medical knowledge and resources.
The affected hospitals include prominent health institutions such as Colombo National Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Matale District Hospital, Kurunegala Teaching Hospital and the Government Hospitals in Monarahala, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Hambanthota, Balangoda, Thissamahara, Debarawewa, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda, Diyathalawa, Matara, Avissawella and several others.
The deployment is aimed at maintaining the smooth operation of healthcare facilities during this critical time, the Sri Lanka Army said.
Around 72 trade unions in the healthcare service excluding doctors have launched a 24-hour token strike from 6.30 a.m. today (16) while some unions have decided to carry out only essential duties.
The trade unions have launched the strike to press home a demand of a salary increase of Rs. 35.000 that had been provided to doctors.
Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana meanwhile had invited the striking trade unions to a discussion on the matter.
