The Government Medical Officers’ Association has called for transport facilities or a special transport allowance for specialist doctors serving in remote areas, arguing that the absence of such provision amounts to an injustice.

GMOA Secretary Dr. U.K.B. Warakagoda said specialists frequently give up substantially higher salaries and career opportunities abroad to return to Sri Lanka and serve in the public health system, including in difficult and remote postings.

The association says that unlike certain executive-grade public servants, specialist doctors have never been given a formal mechanism for transport facilities or allowances, despite the provisions of Circular 22/99.

The cost falls on the doctor

Under the current arrangement, the GMOA says, a specialist living in the Western Province may be posted to Jaffna, Monaragala or Ampara and must personally meet the cost of travelling between home and the duty station.

Rising fuel and transport costs have made that increasingly difficult, according to the association, with some specialists reportedly spending a substantial share of their monthly salary on travel.

The GMOA also pointed to the demands of specialist work in remote hospitals, where doctors may be on call throughout the month and required to respond to emergencies at any hour.

The union warned that leaving the issue unaddressed could discourage specialists from accepting appointments in difficult areas, and could push doctors towards overseas employment.

The association framed the demand as a retention measure rather than a perk, saying such benefits should be treated not as a personal privilege but as an investment in keeping specialist medical expertise inside Sri Lanka’s public health system.

The Daily Mirror notes the claim is likely to reopen debate over whether additional privileges should be extended to already well-paid public-sector professionals.

The demand follows a series of disputes this year over how specialists are treated separately from the wider profession, including the GMOA’s own objection in August to a service category covering specialists alone.

Not reported

The report does not state what Circular 22/99 provides, which executive grades currently receive transport facilities under it, how many specialists are posted outside their home province, or what the proposed allowance would cost. There is no response from the Health Ministry, the Treasury or the Ministry of Public Administration, and no indication that the demand has been formally submitted or that any industrial action is contemplated.

Sources