Doctors across Sri Lanka will launch a token strike from 8.00 a.m. on March 31, protesting what they describe as illegal and arbitrary transfer decisions by the Health Ministry.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said the ministry had issued transfer lists for 2026, including post-intern appointments and difficult service locations, without approval from the transfer board and outside the accepted procedures.
The association also alleged that the number of difficult service stations had been reduced from 393 to 265 without scientific basis or stakeholder agreement, warning the move could worsen doctor shortages in rural hospitals.
The GMOA further claimed that the eligibility period to apply for transfers from difficult stations had been extended from one year to two years without proper consultation, creating unfair conditions for doctors currently serving in those areas.
According to the association, the failure to update approved doctor cadre positions for nearly a decade has already led to severe shortages across hospitals, placing both patients and medical staff under pressure
The GMOA also alleged that a large number of doctors had been assigned to the “Arogya” project without approval from the Management Services Commission, despite shortages in many hospitals.
The union warned that these decisions could lead to further disruption of healthcare services and inconvenience to patients.
However, the GMOA said maternity hospitals, children’s hospitals, Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, kidney care units, tri-forces hospitals and the National Institute of Mental Health would be exempt from the strike.
Emergency services across the island will also continue uninterrupted.
The GMOA warned that stronger trade union action would follow if authorities fail to address the issues. (Newswire)