The Government Medical Officers’ Association’s islandwide strike entered its seventh day on April 5, with the union’s executive committee convening to decide the action’s future course while alleging that new doctors were coerced into complying with government directives.
Compliance under duress, GMOA claims
The Health Ministry reported that 435 of 453 newly qualified doctors — 96 per cent — applied for post-intern appointments before the April 4 deadline. The government cited the figure as evidence that its directive was working.
The GMOA disputed that interpretation, saying doctors faced threats of “removal from state service, suspension of salaries, and eviction from official quarters.” The union characterised the high compliance rate as a product of intimidation rather than voluntary participation.
Strike continues until April 6
Following the executive committee meeting, the GMOA announced the strike would continue until 8:00 AM on April 6. The union has formally appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene and initiate dialogue.
Emergency services remain operational, with maternity, children’s, kidney, cancer, psychiatric and military hospitals exempted from the action.
Week-long escalation
The strike began on April 1 with a 24-hour symbolic action over alleged politicisation of medical officer transfers. It escalated through outpatient disruptions, intimidation allegations, and the health minister ruling out talks before the executive committee session. The Association of Medical Specialists has not joined the action.
