Sri Lankan Army Deployed to Keep Hospitals Operational

COLOMBO (News 1st); In response to a strike by health unions at government hospitals across the country, the Sri Lankan Army has been deployed to maintain essential services and ensure uninterrupted patient care.

Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the Army Commander, based on a request made by the country's health ministry, issued instructions to Security Force Commanders to prepare troops for deployment as needed.

Acting on the Army Commander's request, the Security Force Commanders for West and Central regions deployed troops to key hospitals, including Colombo National Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Mahamodara Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, as well as the Government Hospitals in Matara, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda, Nawalapitiya, Badulla, Gampola, and Meerigama.

Nearly 500 soldiers are currently involved in maintaining critical operations.

Lieutenant General Liyanage has emphasized the need for swift and efficient action, requesting Security Force Commanders to prepare additional troops for deployment in case of further disruptions. 

He stressed the importance of minimizing public inconvenience and ensuring uninterrupted medical care during the period that the trade union action is in effect. 

The strike action stems from demands by minor staff unions for improved working conditions and salary increases. 

Sri Lanka's healthcare system is facing widespread disruption following a wave of strikes by various medical professionals, triggered by a recent decision to increase doctors' allowances. 

The catalyst for the unrest is a cabinet decision announced yesterday, granting doctors a hefty 35,000-rupee bump in their Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance, bringing it to a total of 70,000 rupees. 

This move sparked immediate discontent among other healthcare workers, including paramedics, lab technicians, pharmacists, and radiologists, who also demanded a similar 35,000-rupee stipend.

The Joint Front of Professions Supplementary to Medicine, a coalition of ten healthcare unions, announced plans to join the ongoing strike for a period of 48 hours with effect from 8 AM on Wednesday (10).

Public Health Inspectors, Entomological Officers, School Dental Therapists, and a range of other healthcare professionals are taking a united stand by joining the strike.

The Midwives Association held a press conference in Narahenpita, demanding that the government extend the allowance currently offered to doctors to other healthcare professionals as well. 

Healthcare professionals including minor staff at hospitals launched a token strike in Sri Lanka on Thursday (11). 

The action, which began at 6 am today and will continue until 8 am tomorrow, seeks to highlight their demand for a stipend similar to the Rs. 35,000 recently granted to doctors.