The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has been engaged in a protracted industrial dispute with the Health Ministry since late March 2026, primarily over alleged unfair doctor transfers, particularly concerning post-intern placements and difficult service station classifications, as well as perceived political interference.
The initial phase of the dispute saw a 24-hour island-wide symbolic strike on March 31 at 8:00 AM, followed by another 48-hour strike from April 2 to April 3. GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya and Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa cited concerns over politically motivated transfers and manipulated lists, accusing Health Minister Dr. Nalin de Jayatissa of "arbitrary and arrogant actions" and direct interference.
Minister Jayatissa, however, defended the government's actions, stating the implementation of a formal transfer mechanism to ensure justice for doctors, with approximately 6,000 transfers scheduled by May 10. He emphasized the Health Ministry's sole purview over transfer lists and detailed a "difficult service list" based on seven specific criteria, from which 265 doctors were identified. The Minister criticized the GMOA's actions as "extremely inhumane," accusing the union of sacrificing 453 doctors who completed their internship and noting widespread public "disgust."
In a significant move, Minister Jayatissa issued an ultimatum on April 4, demanding post-internship doctors apply for public service appointments by 12:00 PM that Saturday. He warned that failure to meet this deadline would result in non-recruitment, loss of current positions and salaries, and termination of service. The GMOA initially challenged the Minister to a public debate and advised post-interns not to apply, citing threats. Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa called the Minister's threats a "grave insult," while Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe accused the government of aiming to create doctor-less hospitals.
Despite the deadline, a nationwide strike officially commenced on April 4 at 8:00 AM, and was subsequently extended beyond April 5 and until April 6, 8:00 AM, due to unresolved issues. However, on April 5, Minister Jayatissa announced that the dispute regarding post-intern appointments had been resolved, with 435 out of 453 eligible doctors having submitted applications. He stated that appointment lists would be published soon, with placements expected before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The GMOA countered, alleging these doctors submitted applications due to threats and pressure, including termination from public service, suspension of salaries, and eviction from official quarters.
Throughout the strikes, the GMOA confirmed exemptions for services at children's, maternity, cancer (Maharagama Apeksha Hospital), military hospitals, specialized kidney units, and mental health institutions (Angoda National Institute of Mental Health). Emergency treatment services also continued. Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe expressed readiness for discussions if requested, while the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS), representing approximately 2,300 doctors, affirmed its members were not participating in the GMOA's action, ensuring specialist services continued uninterrupted.
Initially, Minister Jayatissa declared the strike had "no basis for discussion," challenging the GMOA to seek legal recourse. However, following the GMOA's deadline for talks, the Minister offered to hold discussions on Thursday, April 9th, upon his return from a World Health Organization conference in India, for which he departed on April 6th. Following this agreement, and reportedly facilitated by Presidential intervention, the GMOA's executive committee decided to temporarily suspend its island-wide strike from 8:00 AM on April 6th. Despite this, the government proceeded with the post-intern appointment lists as planned.
Amidst these developments, the GMOA raised new allegations, claiming hospital positions of specialist doctors had been removed and that political interference occurred in graded doctor transfers. GMOA President Dr. Sanjeewa Tennakoon highlighted a shortage of specialists, stating only 2,100 were available against a need for 3,000. The union also alleged plans to close down certain units in national hospitals, specifically citing the kidney and liver transplant unit at Ragama.
On April 7th, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni announced in Parliament that the government plans to suspend the salaries of doctors who do not report to their assigned service stations by the end of the current month. The GMOA warned of an immediate strike if transfer lists were made without their involvement, alleging attempts within the Health Ministry to sabotage the scheduled discussion with the Minister.
In a significant escalation, the GMOA announced a new 48-hour nationwide token strike commencing on April 9, 2026, at 08:00 a.m. This decision came in protest of the Health Ministry's alleged violation of agreed conditions concerning Post-Graduate Internship appointments and attempts to sabotage the scheduled discussion with the Minister. The Health Ministry had announced new appointment locations for 436 new medical officers on April 8, requiring them to report from April 9 to April 11. GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa stated the union received information about Ministry officials attempting to "hastily and illegally publish" the assignment list despite planned talks.
Minister Jayatissa subsequently confirmed the cancellation of the scheduled discussion for April 9, citing the union's decision to strike as "unfair." He clarified that his previous agreement to discuss "other issues" did not include newly qualified doctor appointments, as trade unions have no role in such decisions. The Minister further alleged the strike was by a "small group with political motives" and had "no basis," urging newly appointed doctors not to be afraid and to report to their assigned institutions, assuring them of protection from police and the public. He reiterated that post-graduate internship appointment issues were resolved after discussions held last Sunday and alleged that on March 31, a group of doctors had issued threats at GMOA headquarters to prevent others from accepting government appointments. He challenged the GMOA to seek legal recourse if they believed there was an error in the appointment process, rather than inconveniencing the public.
The ongoing 48-hour token strike, which marks the fifth such strike within the past two weeks, continued for its second day on April 10, causing significant disruption in hospital services and considerable difficulties for patients across the island. The GMOA has convened an emergency Central Committee meeting to decide on the continuation of the strike, stating it will persist until the announced appointment list is withdrawn and a solution is provided. Minister Jayatissa has offered to hold discussions if the strike is called off.