Specialist doctors from across the country have been summoned to the headquarters of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) this week, for urgent discussions and decision-making in response to the proposed 2026 national budget, which has sparked widespread concern over injustices faced by medical professionals and the public health sector. 

Issuing a statement, the GMOA states that the budget appears to undermine Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system, pushing it from resilience to collapse. 

Doctors have already faced multiple salary cuts in both the current and previous budgets.  The GMOA warns that these short-sighted decisions risk accelerating the brain drain of skilled professionals.

Specialist doctors, who shoulder high-risk, island-wide responsibilities, continue to cover multiple hospitals without special allowances or coverage incentives, often working under severe strain to maintain uninterrupted patient care.

Unlike other public service grades, these doctors do not receive transport or fuel allowances, and many spend more than half their salary on travel to serve in remote hospitals. The removal of tax relief permits and the lack of budgetary solutions for essential service needs have created a deeply unsettled environment among specialists.

The GMOA also criticized the Health Minister’s contradictory appeal for overseas-trained specialists to return to Sri Lanka, while simultaneously cutting salaries and benefits for those already serving. One returning specialist has reportedly been denied the opportunity to enroll his children in a government school, highlighting the systemic neglect of returning professionals.

If such short-sighted policies continue, the GMOA warns that Sri Lanka’s globally respected free healthcare system will face irreversible decline.

The GMOA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting free healthcare and the rights of medical professionals, and announced that a series of trade union actions will begin next Monday if the government fails to respond meaningfully.

As a precursor, all specialist doctors nationwide have been summoned to the GMOA headquarters in Colombo on Friday (14) to discuss the challenges they face and determine the future course of action, including potential service disruptions and union mobilization. (Newswire)

The post Budget 2026 : Specialist doctors to convene in Colombo on Friday appeared first on Newswire.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has granted permission for Hemali Wijeratne, daughter of specialist doctor Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne of the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, to travel overseas for educational purposes.

Hemali Wijeratne is currently out on bail in connection with a case involving alleged threats made to officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

During the hearing today, her legal counsel requested that the court allow her to travel overseas, stating that she is scheduled to leave on the 13th of this month for academic reasons. Officials representing the Bribery Commission did not object to the request.

However, they informed the court that a statement would need to be recorded from her after she returns. As such, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to appear before the Bribery Commission and provide a statement upon her return to the country.

The Magistrate also granted permission for the suspect to travel abroad and postponed the relevant case, which was scheduled to be heard on the 27th of August, to 09 December.

The 21-year-old woman was arrested by the Keselwatte Police on 07 July for having allegedly issued death threats to officials at the Bribery Commission after her mother was arrested and remanded over medical fraud. 

Specialist neurosurgeon Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne was remanded over allegations of selling medical equipment valued at Rs. 50,000 to patients for Rs. 175,000 through a private company she is affiliated with. (Newswire)

The post Threatening Bribery officials : Specialist doctor’s daughter allowed to travel abroad appeared first on Newswire.

The Court of Appeal has issued an order to extend the retirement age of Specialist Doctors in Government Service. 

According to the Court order, the retirement age of Specialist Doctors in Government Service is to be extended up to the age of 63 years. 

The Court order comes after taking up for consideration the writ petition filed against the Cabinet decision to reduce the retirement age of specialist doctors to the age of 60 years.

The petition had been filed by 176 doctors challenging the Cabinet decision. 

In June this year, the Health Ministry also informed the Court of Appeal that it has decided to extend the service period of specialist doctors in public service up to the age of 63 years. (NewsWire)

The post Retirement age of specialist doctors: New Court Update appeared first on Newswire.