GMOA To Summon A General Committee Meeting Today (13th)

The Government Medical Officers  Association (GMOA) is to summon an urgent General Committee meeting at noon today(13th) to get views from their membership on the future course of action can be taken to win DAT (Disturbance,Availability and Transport Allowance) demand.

This meeting is summoned after GMOA Executive Committee led Island Wide Strike held last Friday became a total failure due to majority of Doctors were refrained from participating in the strike.Only 20% of doctors were reported as participated the strike .

GMOA Suspended Their TU Action-An Enjoining Order Issued Against The Strike

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has announced this evening that the Island Wide Strike action launched by them this morning has been suspended with effect from around 3.30 p.m following the discussions held between GMOA Members and Health Ministry officials on DAT Allowance (Disturbance,Availability and Transport Allowance).However GMOA exco members have refused to comment on the said discussions and  results .

Meanwhile Colombo District Court has been issued an enjoining order this noon by preventing GMOA for resorting any trade union action till 25th of May.

Majority Of Government Doctors Said "No" To GMOA'S Strike Action

Although the  Government Medical Officers Union (GMOA) has announced an Island Wide Strike from this morning  the majority of Government Doctors were reported as staying away from the strike and continue their normal work as usual.According to break away faction of GMOA's General Committee around 80 percent of GMOA member Doctors didn't follow the strike action today whilst only 20 percent have joined the strike,

Doctors in most of the major government hospitals were refrain from strike action today and those hospitals where doctors have participated the strike have seen with an empty OPD's and Clinics  the hospital sources said.GMOA had yesterday announced that  the island wide strike to be launch from 8 a.m this morning to demand an increasing of Disturbance,Availability and Transport Allowance (DAT) of Government Hospital Doctors  to Rs.29,000 from Rs.15,000.

During the special meeting summoned by GMOA at Colombo National Hospital  this morning the top Exco Members have been informed the fellow  members to end the strike by 4 p.m in the evening whether the demand was met or unmet by the authorities.

It has been learnt  that the majority of doctors have refused to join today's  strike due to the inefficiency of  GMOA 's executive committee when handling  their matters.

Meanwhile GMOA executive Committee has said that today's strike was very successful  .

Transportation Of Sand Without Permit To Be Allowed

The  transportation of sand without permit to be allowed from 6 a.m to 6 p.m daily The Ministry Of Environment has stated .The Minister Of Environment Anura Priyadarshan Yapa has revealed this to Parliament today(11th).

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.