Health professionals across Sri Lanka will launch a symbolic strike from 8 AM on March 6, citing the government’s failure to address cuts to their allowances, union leaders announced.
Representatives from 20 health sector unions stated that they had given Minister Nalinda Jayatissa time to rectify salary and allowance reductions, but as of today, March 3, no action has been taken. Union leaders also noted that doctors will join the protest, adding more weight to the movement.
Despite the strike, children’s hospitals, cancer hospitals, maternity hospitals, and kidney hospitals will continue operations, ensuring that critical care is not disrupted.
Ravi Kumudesh, speaking on behalf of the Health Professionals’ Federation, dismissed the health minister’s statement in Parliament regarding nurse salaries as false and misleading. He accused the minister of inciting public resentment against health professionals instead of addressing their grievances. Kumudesh also criticized Minister Harini Amarasuriya for improving the salary brackets for teachers and principals while simultaneously lowering health professionals’ positions in the salary hierarchy.
According to union leaders, the budget did not address salary disparities in the health sector, and targeted allowance cuts have further worsened their financial situation. They argue that the minister’s refusal to seek solutions, coupled with the use of incorrect statistics in Parliament, has left them with no choice but to proceed with trade union action.
In addition to the broader health sector strike, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has warned that they will also launch trade union action if the government does not resolve salary, allowance, and operational challenges faced by medical professionals.
Following discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, GMOA spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe stated that no agreement was reached. While the president requested more time to review the budget proposals and concerns, unions remain firm that unless urgent action is taken, further strikes and protests are inevitable.
