The Government Medical Officers’ Association suspended its island-wide token strike from 8:00 AM on April 6, ending nine days of industrial action that disrupted routine hospital services across the country.
The suspension follows an agreement by Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa to hold formal discussions with the GMOA on Thursday, April 10, after returning from an overseas trip. The outcome of those talks will determine whether further trade union action follows.
Nine days of disruption
The strike began on approximately March 29 over allegations of political interference in doctor transfers and irregularities in post-intern appointment lists. The GMOA accused health authorities of failing to address longstanding concerns about the transfer process, while the Health Ministry maintained that appointments should proceed as scheduled.
Routine outpatient services bore the brunt of the disruption, though emergency departments continued to operate throughout. The Health Minister had earlier challenged the GMOA in court, claiming 96 percent of doctors were complying with duty requirements — a figure the GMOA disputed.
Critical timing
The Thursday talks coincide with a packed schedule for the government. The IMF’s 5th and 6th review mission concludes on April 9, and the no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody is scheduled for parliamentary debate on April 10.
The GMOA executive committee’s decision to suspend rather than end the strike signals that the dispute remains unresolved. If talks on Thursday fail to produce a satisfactory outcome, doctors could resume action — adding another pressure point to a government already managing the energy crisis and Trump tariff fallout.
