State hospitals paralysed with 72 health unions on strike; Minister urges strikers to return

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday (13) urged striking health workers to resume work. The government would take steps to solve their problems, he said

Minister Pathirana said the Ministry of Finance was trying to redress the strikers’ grievances.

“About 1,300 doctors have left the country and we increased the doctors’ DAT allowance because they are adversely affected by taxes. We urge the striking workers to resume duties,” Dr. Pathirna said.

Services provided by the state hospitals came to a standstill yesterday as 72 health unions recommenced their strike against the government decision to increase the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance by Rs. 35,000 for doctors.

President of the Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine, Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island that the unions expected the government to address their grievances as soon as possible.

“We don’t want to strike. The discussions with the Ministry of Finance officials failed on Monday (12).

It is obvious that the committee they appointed to solve our issues, does not have the power to do so. We hope that our problems will be solved with the mediation of President Wickremesinghe,” he said.