FUTA, GMOA go on strike

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Federation of University Teachers' Associations and the Government Medical Officers' Association will engage in trade union action on Thursday (2).

FUTA said it will engage in a nationwide strike across all state-run universities.

FUTA spokesperson Charudatte Illangasinghe told News 1st that the strike will be against the issues surrounding the tax system, and the slashing of funding for state universities.

Academic, and non-academic staff will support the trade union action, he said.

In addition, the Government Medical Officers Association has decided to launch a provincial level strike with effect from Thursday (2).

GMOA spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe told reporters that the strike will take place across all hospitals and health services centers in the Uva Province on Thursday (2), and would result in the disruption of daily services.

The strike came into effect at 8 AM, however, it will not impact emergency services, maternity hospitals, children's hospitals, cancer treatment, and kidney treatment.