GMOA Has Decided To Launch An Island Wide Doctors Strike From Tomorrow (11th)

Government Hospital Doctors have decided to launch an Island Wide Strike from 8 a.m tomorrow (11) morning by demanding to increase their Disturbance,Attendance and Transport Allowance (DAT) by Rs14,000 according to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA).At present the Government Doctors are receiving Rs.15,000 as DAT Allowance.

According to GMOA ,the strike decision has been taken by their Executive Committee today (10) after considering the growing demand of their members to fight for DAT Allowance increase which the government had  promised on the year 2008."In 2008 Government had promised the GMOA to increase the DAT allowance by Rs.14,000 and Pay Rs.29,000 but up to date that promise never implemented " GMOA Exco member Dr.Nalin Ariyarathne has said.The 10 day period given to authorities by GMOA to fulfill that promise also completed by tomorrow he stressed.

Meanwhile the Colombo District Court has  extended the enjoining order previously issued against GMOA by preventing of launching strike action till 05th of June.

UPDATED-Sri Lankan Medical Administrators And Medical Officers Unions Have Protested Over An Unqualified Medical Administrator

The Sri Lankan Medical Administrators Union and Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) have  made a written request  from  Health Ministry secretary to remove the unqualified medical officer who has occupied in the post  of Acting  Director of Territory  Medical Services at the Health Ministry since last two years and replaced him with a suitable candidate.

According to the unions the said medical officer is not suitable for the post as he is not having the required qualifications that needs to become a medical administrator.The service minute of 2007 of the Sri Lankan  Medical Administrators has clearly stated that a Medical Administrator should work in the capacity of deputy medical administrator for 3 years before becoming a senior medical administrator.However the said administrator has not having such qualifications according to Ministry Sources.

All Government General and Teaching Hospitals and Medical Specialists are functioning under the confused post of Director Of Territory Medical Services.Meanwhile Sri Lankan Medical Administrators Union is scheduled to discuss their future course of action regarding this irregular appointment during  their General Assembly Meeting to be held on  24 th of May.

Due to the inefficiency of the said Acting Director there  are around 28 senior grade and around 200 deputy grade posts attached to  Ministry Of Health have been vacant from some time Ministry sources added.Due to this Most of the hospital administration is in crisis the sources have revealed.The Public Services Commission (PSC) too has informed on this situation Ministry Sources have further said.

Strong Winds And Lightning Destroyed More Than 200 Houses And Claimed 2 Lives

Strong winds and lightning have destroyed more than 200 houses throughout the island and claimed 2 lives this morning according to Disaster Management Center.Matale,Wilgamuwa and Polonnaruwa Areas were the worst affected areas the Center announced.

Meanwhile around 80 shanties located at Uva,North Central and Eastern Provinces were partly damaged due to the gusty winds supported by Heavy showers experienced in those areas yesterday evening it has been reported.As a result of this around 300 people were displaced the Disaster Management Center has said.

Buddhists Celebrating Wesak Festival To Day(05)

Millions of Sri Lankan and  other Buddhists around the world celebrating  Wesak Full Moon Poya Day today (05)which marked the Birth , Enlightenment and Demise of Lord Buddha .To mark the Wesak Poya day Temples around the country have organized various  religious activities since this morning and large number of Buddhist devotees are reported as participating these activities.

A Large number of Pandols and Wesak Lanterns which are showing various events of Lord Buddha's life will be open this evening coincides with thousands of dansala's (alms giving centers) situated throughout the island.In Colombo City  alone around 100 Dan sala's are scheduled to be open this eve.

Due to Wesak Festival both tomorrow (06) and the day after (Monday) are declared as Public,Bank and Mercantile holidays.

"WISHING MY BLOG READERS A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL WESAK FESTIVAL'

Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Postponed Their Scheduled Exco Meeting

The joint council of professions supplementary to medicine (JCPSM) have decided to postpone their executive committee meeting scheduled to be held on last Thursday (03) to decide the dates of their trade union action  till next Wednesday (09) following a request made by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena .Minister had asked the Joint Council during a meeting with them on last Thursday to give him two more working days to give solutions for their demands it has been revealed.

Therefore The Council has decided to postpone their executive committee meeting till next Wednesday the secretary of Joint Council of professions supplementary to medicine Saman Jayasekera has said.Professions Supplementary To Medicine has already decided to launch a work to rule campaign in government hospitals and only the date of launching need to be decide he stressed.

Prices Of Gas,Milk Powder And Cement Goes Up

The Government has increased Gas,Milk Powder and Cement prices with effect from midnight tonight(04).The price of both Litro and Laugfs Gas cylinders are increased by Rs.350 and Milk Powder Prices goes up by Rs.61 per 400g Packs and Rs.161 per 1 KG pack it have been revealed,The price of a cement pack has increased by Rs.70.

The consumer affairs authority has given the approval for these price revisions.

Government Imposed A Tax On Imported Milk Powder

The Government has decided to impose a tax of 15% maximum or Rs.92 per a Kilo Gramme of imported Milk Powder except Infants Milk Powder according to Ministry Of Finance.