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GMOA Denies Link Between Trade Union Action and Trincomalee Newborn Death
The Pulse
PoliticsHealthMonday, May 11, 2026

GMOA Denies Link Between Trade Union Action and Trincomalee Newborn Death

TLDR

  • GMOA denies link to Trincomalee newborn death.

  • Doctors don't withdraw from emergency maternity care during strikes.

  • GMOA accuses parties of unfairly blaming them for incident.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has denied any connection between its ongoing trade union activities and the death of a newborn during a delivery at Trincomalee District General Hospital. GMOA Vice President, Specialist Doctor Chandika Epitakaduwa, stated at a media briefing on May 11 that obstetric care is classified as an emergency medical service. He emphasized that doctors do not withdraw from emergency duties during trade union action. Dr. Epitakaduwa also suggested that there are attempts by certain parties to unfairly attribute blame to the association regarding the incident.

Story Update

Update #2\u00b7 May 12 · 12:33 AM

The GMOA has issued a media release and its Vice President, Specialist Dr. Chandika Epa-kadduwa, stated at a press conference on May 11, 2026, that the stillbirth incident at Trincomalee District General Hospital on April 9, 2026, has no connection to the union's trade union action. The GMOA emphasized that doctors do not withdraw from emergency care, including maternity wards, during strikes, and accused some parties of deliberately misinterpreting the situation.

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