News
GMOA decides to intensify its trade union struggle
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has called for the immediate establishment of a dedicated service category, titled the “Sri Lanka Medical Service,” to resolve the long-standing crisis within the country’s health sector.
In a media release, following a crucial General Committee meeting, the Association emphasised that while strengthening the free health service is a primary responsibility of any government, the current administration is deliberately evading this duty.
The GMOA alleged that the government has violated written agreements previously reached to address the grievances of medical professionals and the hospital system, leaving them with no choice but to resort to trade union action.
The primary demand of the Association is the granting of Cabinet approval for the proposed “Sri Lanka Medical Service,” a draft of which has already been prepared with the consensus of all relevant stakeholders. In addition to this structural change, the GMOA is pushing for several financial and administrative updates, including the revision of the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance and the stabilisation of the extra duty allowance. They also demand solutions for transport issues, in accordance with Circular 22/99, the resolution of research and postgraduate study-related problems, and an urgent update of the approved medical cadre, within the health system. The Association has called for immediate discussions with the Ministry of Finance to resolve these matters within a specific timeframe.
The Association pointed out that despite providing ample time for the Minister of Health, and other responsible parties, to seek solutions through dialogue, the lack of sincere intervention has led to seven ongoing island-wide professional actions. These measures include refusing to issue prescriptions for medicines, equipment, or laboratory tests that are unavailable within the hospital, and withdrawing from voluntary health camps organised by political groups. Furthermore, doctors have ceased being deployed to new wards or units opened without an approved cadre and are refraining from examining patients where adequate facilities and support staff are unavailable to ensure safety and privacy. Specialist doctors have also withdrawn from “covering-up” duties, while official community health data, under the supervision of Medical Officers of Health, is being withheld from the Ministry.
The Association expressed its strong disapproval of the government’s “arrogant” conduct, accusing officials of using mainstream and social media to level false allegations and insults against doctors, instead of engaging in productive discussions. This behaviour was a central topic of discussion during the General Committee meeting held on 25 February, 2026.
Consequently, the GMOA has unanimously decided to intensify its professional struggle, which includes the official withdrawal from the “Arogya” project, starting Monday, March 2, 2026. They characterised “Arogya” as a political showpiece, disguised as a primary healthcare reform, claiming it misuses public tax money and Ministry resources without clear objectives or transparency.
To address the underlying issues in primary healthcare, the GMOA has appointed a special working committee to study existing facility shortages and recommend appropriate service standards. This Committee is expected to submit its report to the Executive Committee within two weeks to determine future steps regarding patient care. While reaffirming its readiness to resolve these grievances through direct discussions with the President and the Health Minister, the GMOA warned that it is prepared to launch a broader, integrated campaign with all health sector stakeholders if the government continues to neglect its responsibility toward the free health service.
By S.K. Samaranayake
It has been reported quoting family sources that veteran singer Mariazelle Goonetilleke has passed away this morning (10) at the age of 68
She had been receiving treatment at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital.
The wife of retired Major General Suresh Sallay has lodged a further complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), alleging that her husband’s fundamental rights continue to be violated as Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers prevent him from having confidential consultations with his lawyer while he is under detention at the National Hospital.
In a letter addressed to the HRCSL Chairman on Thursday, Mrs. S.B.M.S.B. Sallay has said the latest complaint was filed in relation to an earlier complaint concerning the detention and treatment of her husband.
Full text of the letter: I, Mrs. S.B.M.S.B. Sallay, respectfully write to lodge this further complaint in relation to my earlier complaint bearing reference H RC-HO-1 103-26, concerning the detention and treatment of my husband, Retired Major General Suresh Sallay.
I wish to bring to the attention of the Commission a further serious violation of his fundamental rights that occurred on 08 July 2026 during a consultation between my husband and his Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Asith Siriwardena, while my husband remains under detention and is receiving treatment at the National Hospital.
I am informed by his Counsel that he is presently permitted to consult with my husband only once a week for a period of approximately twenty minutes. During the consultation held on 08 July 2026, officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stationed at the Cardiac Coronary Care Unit of the National Hospital informed Counsel that they had received instructions from higher authorities that my husband should not be permitted to meet with his
legal counsel in private. Consequently, the officers remained present throughout the consultation and refused to permit a confidential lawyer-client meeting.
This conduct constitutes a grave infringement of my husband’s fundamental right to communicate privately and confidentially with his legal counsel. Confidential communication between an accused or detainee and his lawyer is an indispensable safeguard of the right to legal representation, the right to prepare his defence, and the right to a fair trial. The denial of confidential legal consultations undermines these fundamental protections guaranteed under the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the applicable provisions governing persons detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The confidentiality of communications between a lawyer and client is also a well-recognized principle under international human rights law and forms an essential safeguard against arbitrary detention, coercion, and unfair legal proceedings.
In view of the foregoing, I respectfully request the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to urgently intervene and take all necessary steps within its statutory mandate to:
1. Ensure that my husband is afforded immediate and unrestricted confidential access to his legal counsel without the presence or supervision of law enforcement officers;
2. Inquire into the instructions allegedly issued by higher authorities requiring CID officers to remain present during lawyer-client consultations;
3. Direct the relevant authorities to cease any practice that interferes with confidential legal consultations; and
4. Take such further action as the Commission considers appropriate to safeguard my husband’s constitutional and human rights.
This complaint is made as a further complaint to Complaint No. H RC-HO-1103-26, and I respectfully request that it be placed on the same file and considered together with my previous complaints.
I respectfully seek the Commission’s urgent intervention in this matter.
The Supreme Court yesterday (9) upheld a Colombo Commercial High Court order directing former Minister Wimal Weerawansa to pay Rs. 1 million in damages to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva for violating intellectual property rights.
A three-member Supreme Court bench dismissed in its entirety an appeal filed by Weerawansa challenging the earlier Commercial High Court ruling.
The case was instituted by Silva, who alleged that Weerawansa had violated provisions of the Intellectual Property Act by publishing his book “Neththa Wenuwata Aththa” (“Truth Instead of Lies”), which contained the JVP’s political ideology and official party documents without authorisation.
The Supreme Court also affirmed the order restraining the publication and distribution of the book in its existing form. However, the court ruled that the book could be republished if the 60-page section identified as infringing intellectual property rights was removed.
Dharmaraja and Kingswood set for historic rugby clash on Saturday
Sri Lankan singer Mariazelle Goonetilleke passes away at the age of 68
Tensions erupt in Indian state after 11-year-old raped and murdered
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