Doctors threaten nationwide strike over unresolved issues

A continuous nationwide strike will begin if the health minister fails to implement agreed-upon solutions for the free health service and medical professionals. The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) claims that the 2026 budget proposals presented last November ignored critical short-term and long-term policies, causing widespread unrest among health workers.

The GMOA previously suspended industrial action following written assurances from the health minister. Those promises included creating a "Sri Lanka Medical Service" category, updating the DAT allowance, fixing transport issues under circular 22/99, making the extra duty allowance a fixed payment, and resolving research allowance disputes through Treasury discussions.

An emergency meeting on January 7 granted the executive council power to launch strikes after the government missed the January 5 deadline. Following a brief discussion with the minister, the union expressed deep dissatisfaction over delays and perceived breaches of trust.

A 10-day ultimatum now exists for the ministry to act. If the deadlock remains, a countrywide strike starts on January 23. The union warns that unprofessional conduct by officials risks a major crisis, questioning the government's commitment to protecting free healthcare amid ongoing shortages of staff and medicine.