Medical specialists to abstain from private practice: AMS

3 August 2018 02:13 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Medical specialists had decided to abstain from private practice from today against unfair taxation on medical professionals, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said.

AMS President Dr. Sunil Wijayasinghe told Daily Mirror that the AMS along with other medical specialist groups had decided to refrain from private practice and added this decision was reached after months of failed negotiations with relevant parties.

“Contrary to Finance Minister’s repeated claims about the need for more taxes from everybody, the treasury has moved to announce changes in the new Tax Act to give major tax relief to Ministers and higher officials of the government,” Dr. Wijayasinghe said.

However, he said recent Tax Act had doubled the tax on doctors by increasing the tax from 12% to 24%, whereas the Finance Ministry had reduced their own taxes and added the government had not announced any effective immediate method of widening the tax net causing them unfairness.

“The AMS have requested all its members to attend in the normal duty in the hospital today and refrain from private practice. All relevant specialists will attend emergencies in private hospitals considering patient safety,” Dr. Wijayasinghe added.

He reiterated that this was a protest by medical specialists of this country, who had exhausted all other means available to them to solve this problem. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 18

Coconut Republic Friday, 03 August 2018 02:19 AM

Dear Dr's, can you please explain what's an unfair taxes??

Rich Friday, 03 August 2018 05:10 PM

I'm no supporter of the AMS, but the Dr is right in this case. The govt tax policy must apply to everyone Public and Private sector. There should be no exemptions be it President or Finance minister with all income including government salaries being taxed.

Mano Friday, 03 August 2018 02:52 AM

What is so special about medical specialists ?. In every field there are about 3 to 5 different drugs or vaccines, and these “specialists” learn by trial error which of these medicine to prescribe.The heroes are not these doctors but the Scientists who research and make those medicines. Armed with these drugs these doctors have been making tons of money for themselves while the Scientists who make these drugs are earning peanuts and struggle to find long term contracts for their jobs.

Ram Friday, 03 August 2018 03:53 AM

All government servants including doctors, MPs do not pay income tax on their government salaries. Any private income is taxable. Finance Minister must make the tax structure common to all those income earners outside government salary earners.

Ranjitdea Friday, 03 August 2018 04:18 AM

Arn't you taxed on your earnings and not on your professions. Anyway good that you are not engaging in private practice but only on government service. Very meritorious.

Sun Friday, 03 August 2018 04:41 AM

Why do we need private practice. We are paying your salaries and other benefits. No one cares if you do private practice or not. The private sector can see to their business.

Siva Friday, 03 August 2018 04:54 AM

The key word here is 'refrain' .The truth is

Sam Friday, 03 August 2018 05:00 AM

I detest the GMOA and all these other parties who strike to get what they want. It is not the correct way. I do however agree that the gov has narrowed the tax base and increased taxes in an unfair manner. I know they earn more money but the fact remains that many of them will have spent to their means, they may have set up financial commitments which require all of their 12% taxed salary. If the gov wants to increase to 24% they should do so by increasing by 2% per annum not just in one big jump.

lion Friday, 03 August 2018 05:45 AM

We as people who goes for private consultation know very well how these so called doctors earn money. For an hour they see around 12- 15 pations charging sames ranging from Rs1000-2000. They see average 70-100 pations a day. They do 1 shift in the morning then another 4-5 shifts in the afternoon. Each shift amounts to an hour. The massive income they receive besides the salary they receive from the government must be taxed and government is very correct in that move.

Nalin Friday, 03 August 2018 01:31 PM

Some officers have exempted themselves from paying income tax and included politicians also. This is very unfair. Some Corporations are taxed whilst some are exempted. This has resulted in powerful unions in Corporations getting the respective Corporations to pay the tax. Thus the present tax system is very unfair. As there is no necessity to exempt any citizen from income tax an uniform tax should be introduced to all citizens including politicians and government officers. Thus everyone who has an income over Rs. 100,000/= per month including the salary and perks should be taxed which is reasonable.

jimbo Friday, 03 August 2018 02:16 PM

Shame on these doctors. They forgot the oath they took.

Amal Fernando Friday, 03 August 2018 08:56 PM

what is this oath ? Hippocrates. Never taken any oath.

Sun Friday, 03 August 2018 04:27 PM

This is just a political stunt same like SAITM and political backed universities unions

Anu Friday, 03 August 2018 04:31 PM

The time has come to put an-end meance of doctors strikes by taking patients to task . Doctors are not gods and they are equal to all other professions abide by the law if the country Government should take disciplinary action against those doctors who take the law in to their hands and sack them and public should rally around them for house arrest as they conduct this strikes but happily practice private channeling to make wealth .Stern action should be taken and tax themHeavily

RANSIRI Friday, 03 August 2018 04:49 PM

We are the silent group of doctors who are not in favour of strikes or causing hardships to the public masses of Sri Lanka. We agree that all Sri Lankans, Medicos, Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Bankers, Lawyers, Barristers, Teachers, Tutors, All other Professionals, Politicians, Businessmen, NGO'S, Executives in the Public and Private sector including Government Servants MUST pay TAXES. We suggest a rate of 15% for earnings from Rs.150,000/= to 200,000/=; 20 % from 201,000/= to 300,000/=, 35% from 301,000 to 500,000 and 47% for 501,000 and over. Above amounts are gross joint earnings of the household -Should include, rents, overseas income, overseas travel, Fringe Benefits, etc. No tax on inward remittances but on the earnings from it. A small number of GovernmentProfessionals from Medical, Engineers, Surveyors are practicing during working hours. They should be brought to justice. Recommend a cap on the fees charged by the medicos, lawyers, tutors, etc. as well as hospitals

Ransiri Friday, 03 August 2018 05:08 PM

We seniors have observed few of the Medical Specialists are the most blood sucking parasites in Sri Lanka. They think they are demigods or from another planet. Some with all the money they earn look very pathetic, dress code, tone of voice, body language. Minutes to ask the name, listen to the complaint, examine- most of the time a cusory one, diagnose, write a script, umpteen medical tests and out of the door. Humanely impossible. Even present computers take time. It is very inhumane and pathetic. Some experiment with the concorctions at the expense of the patient. Results are back, pay another consult fees, a fraction of a second scan of the report, more tests or medications or admitted to hospital. Even a well experienced specialist cannot do it so fast. This sickness has infected some of the seniors too. Its now time for the Public to litigate and understand their rights. Such professionals should be barred from practicing for life. It is not only malpractice but manslaughter.

STRUGGLERS. Friday, 03 August 2018 05:07 PM

ARE. YOU READY TO CHARGE RS.300.AS CONSULTANT FEE FROM EACH PATIENT THEN THE PATIENTS WILL GENEROUSLY ACCEPT.TO PAY YOUR TAX ALONG WITH YOUR.FEE.ARE YOU READY YOU ALL. WANT TO GRAB THE POOR MENSWALLET AND PASS YOUR TAX ON TO.THEM.DON THE YOU via DM Android App

Abaran Monday, 06 August 2018 12:21 PM

Time will come when patients will form people committees and tie the rascals to trees like Mervyn

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Medical specialists to abstain from private practice: AMS

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