GMOA Calls Off Planned Strike

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has decided to call off the strike planned for tomorrow (5).

They planned to go on strike citing concerns over the reduction of two allowances proposed in the budget's salary increase.

This afternoon, the GMOA announced that they would not proceed with any strikes until March 21, the scheduled end date for the budget debate.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had provided an opportunity for the GMOA to discuss these issues last Thursday.

"The President acknowledged that there is a problematic situation here. He promised to conduct urgent discussions and inform us about the outcomes," said Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, the Secretary of the GMOA.

Following the President's response, the GMOA met separately with MP Dilith Jayaweera and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday.

During this time, their executive committee also convened and later announced the initiation of a strike.

This morning, the GMOA also met with former MP Patali Champika Ranawaka and reiterated their intention to strike.

A few hours after this meeting, the GMOA held another press conference to announce that they would be calling off the planned strike for tomorrow.

"The President exchanged views with us today. Additionally, the Health Minister provided us with a special meeting to discuss this issue with the GMOA executive committee. The Health Minister requested a fair amount of time to address this issue. By March 21, the government, led by the Honorable President, promised to present a solution during the final reading of the budget. Considering this request, we decided at today's emergency executive committee meeting to postpone the symbolic strike planned for tomorrow until March 21, the date of the third budget reading," said Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa.