By Newswire Editorial
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is set to stage a protest in front of the National Hospital in Colombo today (10), demanding solutions to several issues concerning doctors’ salaries, allowances and official residences.
GMOA Assistant Secretary Chamil Wijesinghe said thousands of doctors representing district and provincial branches of the association are expected to participate in the protest.
He said the protest aims to urge the government to address the issues faced by doctors through the upcoming 2027 Budget, scheduled to be presented to Parliament on November 12.
Wijesinghe stressed that the protest would not involve a strike and that arrangements have been made to ensure patient care services continue without disruption at hospitals across the country.
“We are not going on strike. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that patient care services at all hospitals continue as usual,” he said.
He warned that today’s protest would be only the first step if the government failed to address the concerns raised by doctors.
“We are looking towards the Budget with very positive expectations. We believe that by the evening of the 12th, when the government’s third Budget has been presented to Parliament, we will have received real answers to the real problems faced by doctors,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Health Workers’ Union has also announced plans to stage protests across the country today over several demands.
Its General Secretary, Ven. Tampitiye Sugathananda Thera, said the demonstrations are aimed at urging the government to provide solutions to issues faced by health workers through the upcoming Budget. (Newswire)