The Government Medical Officers’ Association’s 48-hour island-wide token strike formally ended at 8:00 AM on Saturday, with normal duties resuming at government hospitals across the country.
GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe confirmed the return to work and announced a significant escalation in the union’s strategy — the dispute with the Health Ministry has now been taken to court.
“The matter has now been taken to court,” Dr. Wijesinghe said, adding that the executive committee would meet to determine the next course of action after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday.
The legal challenge marks a shift from industrial action to judicial remedies in the long-running dispute over post-intern doctor appointments. The GMOA has accused Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa of refusing to honour existing agreements on specialist and transfer postings.
The latest 48-hour action, which began on April 9, followed a nine-day strike that was suspended on April 6 to allow negotiations. When talks failed to materialise, the union escalated with the token strike.
With the Avurudu holiday providing a natural pause, the court filing suggests the GMOA is prepared for a prolonged legal battle rather than further disruptive strike action in the immediate term.
