A sharp internal rift has erupted within Sri Lanka’s medical unions as Matara’s specialist doctors accuse the GMOA of spreading false claims and warn of a mass resignation unless accountability is enforced.
The Specialist Doctors Association of the Matara District General Hospital has formally written to the President of the Government Medical Officers Association, Dr. Tennakoon, voicing strong opposition to a recent statement made by GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe.
In the letter, the Association categorically rejects claims that specialist doctors attached to the Matara General Hospital are engaging in private medical practice in Colombo and other areas during official working hours. The doctors state that this allegation is entirely false and has caused serious damage to the reputation of the hospital, deeply affected the morale of specialist doctors, and eroded trust between patients and medical professionals.
As a result, the Matara Specialist Doctors Association has placed three key demands before the GMOA. They have called for an immediate official clarification to the media correcting the false statement, the resignation of Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe for what they describe as irresponsible conduct, and the establishment of a proper fact verification mechanism before issuing statements on behalf of specialist doctors.
The Association has warned that failure to meet these demands will result in a mass resignation from GMOA membership. They further stressed that a trade union that cannot protect the dignity and professional integrity of its members serves no purpose.
The letter is signed by Chairman Specialist Surgeon Gamini Ratnasiri and Secretary Specialist Doctor Chamila Subasinghe.
