The Government Medical Officers’ Association’s islandwide strike entered its fifth day on Saturday, with the union alleging that the health ministry’s 96% compliance figure for post-intern appointments was achieved through coercion rather than voluntary acceptance.
Of the 453 doctors who completed their internship this term, 435 applied for post-intern appointments before the April 4 noon deadline. While Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa had previously cited this as evidence that the strike lacked broad support, GMOA pushed back at a media briefing, claiming newly qualified doctors faced threats including removal from state service, suspension of salary, and eviction from official quarters.
“The high number of applications should not be viewed as voluntary compliance, but as a result of intimidation and coercion,” the union stated.
GMOA has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene and open direct dialogue, expressing readiness for a negotiated resolution. The strike, which runs until 8:00 a.m. on April 6 following an emergency executive committee decision, excludes children’s hospitals, maternity hospitals, kidney hospitals, mental health institutions, cancer hospitals, and military hospitals. Emergency services remain uninterrupted at all facilities.
The dispute marks the most significant confrontation between the medical profession and the current government since it took office.
