Doctors call off strike in Eastern Province

Colombo, Oct. 7 (Daily Mirror) - Doctors in the Eastern Province have called off their strike following the release of recommendations by the Health Ministry Secretary, which confirmed that the transfers at the center of the dispute were carried out legally.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced that the industrial action, which began in the Ampara District and was set to expand to all hospitals in the Eastern Province next week, has now been suspended.

The Health Secretary had earlier appointed a four-member committee on October 2 to investigate claims that the transfer of two doctors from the Dehiattakandiya Hospital had been made outside standard procedure.

According to the recommendations that were released, the transfers have been deemed legal. Therefore, the doctors have decided to call off the planned extension of the strike, sources said.