The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has accused certain parties of attempting to create divisions among medical professionals, thereby plunging the medical service and Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system into a crisis.

The GMOA said a political campaign is currently being created to divide specialist doctors from other categories of medical professionals.

The association noted that retaining doctors, including specialists, in Sri Lanka had become a challenge amid the country’s economic, social and political instability. It said a committee comprising the Ministry of Health, medical professional associations and other stakeholders was subsequently appointed to find solutions to the issue.

According to the GMOA, the committee agreed to establish a new service category and salary structure under the name “Sri Lanka Medical Service” to retain doctors from all categories in the country.

Accordingly, the association said assurances were given during the third reading of the 2026 Budget that a separate service category would be established to retain all doctors, including specialist doctors, in Sri Lanka.

However, the GMOA said a proposal has now been put forward to establish a separate service category exclusively for specialist doctors, warning that this could create divisions among different categories of doctors.

The association said it does not agree with the proposal to establish a separate service constitution for only one category, considering the potential impact on the country’s free healthcare system and patient care services.

The GMOA further stated that it had submitted both verbal and written views on the matter to the relevant committee. It said that despite requesting a copy of the committee report from the relevant authorities on several occasions, the report has not yet been provided.

Against this backdrop, an emergency meeting of the association’s provincial and district coordinators was held on August 28 to determine future action.

The GMOA said an emergency meeting of its Specialist Doctors’ Subcommittee is scheduled to be held tomorrow (31), where further action on the matter is expected to be decided.

The association said the meeting will focus on taking decisive steps towards establishing a “Sri Lanka Medical Service” that safeguards doctors’ rights and privileges while enabling them to work together with unity and a strong sense of teamwork.