GMOA end strike after talks with President

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) says that they have decided to call off the island-wide strike action with immediate effect following discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena. 

GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya stated that a decision was taken to end the strike action after representatives of the association met with the President this morning. 

During the discussions, President Sirisena had assured to address the grievances of the doctors and bring in new laws to enhance standards of medical education in the country.

Doctors commenced the strike action at 8.00am on Thursday (22) against the police attack on protesting university students and demanding the closure of SAITM, a private medical university.

Government hospitals have been paralyzed since Thursday as a result of the strike which affected thousands of people as state-run hospitals were unable to provide outpatient treatment or perform routine surgeries. 

Doctors continued treating patients needing emergency or critical care, as well as children and pregnant women. Cancer hospitals and kidney disease treatment units were also still operating.

The GMOA had requested for a meeting with the President today to discuss their grievances, saying that they are not satisfied by the manner in which Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has handled the issue.