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 Specialist doctors have also withdrawn from “covering-up” duties, while official community health data, under the supervision of Medical Officers of Health, is being withheld from the Ministry.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