Sri Lanka’s healthcare crisis deepens as the Health Minister cancels key talks with GMOA, condemning the ongoing doctors’ strike as politically driven and unjustified, raising serious concerns over patient care and medical workforce stability.
The discussion scheduled for today April 9 with the Government Medical Officers Association GMOA will no longer take place, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed, signaling a sharp escalation in tensions between the government and striking medical professionals.
Addressing Parliament on the ongoing doctors’ strike, Minister Jayatissa made it clear that the government would not proceed with dialogue under the current circumstances. He stated that if the situation continues in this manner, the planned discussions cannot move forward and emphasized that the strike is unfair. He further asserted that the government is fully prepared to confront the situation and ensure the continuity of healthcare services.
The Minister clarified that the strike action, which he described as being driven by a small group with political motives, should not be allowed to continue. He assured Parliament that newly appointed medical officers who are scheduled to report for duty today will be provided with adequate security so they can assume responsibilities without fear or intimidation.
Minister Jayatissa also pointed out that any disputes or grievances related to post internship medical appointments should be resolved through legal channels rather than through industrial action. He stressed that there are proper mechanisms in place to address such concerns within the framework of the law.
He noted that the strike has now continued for five days and questioned its justification, particularly at a time when global instability, including the ongoing Middle East crisis, is placing additional strain on national systems. He explained that the core issue cited by the striking doctors revolves around the appointment of post internship medical officers, with some insisting that the GMOA should be responsible for preparing appointment lists.
The Minister clarified that transfer boards are not relevant when it comes to initial appointments and revealed that last Tuesday, a group of doctors was reportedly summoned to Colombo and pressured not to accept appointments issued outside GMOA influence. He stated that those who agreed to accept such appointments were threatened with consequences, and that intimidation has continued through various channels including the media.
Providing further details, Minister Jayatissa disclosed that out of a total of 453 doctors in the group, 436 had already submitted applications requesting appointments by April 4. Of the remaining 17, sixteen had not properly completed their Resident House Officer requirements following internship, while one individual had not applied at all. Based on these facts, he concluded that there is no valid basis for the continuation of the strike action.
