GMOA says fuel quota insufficient for medical services

16 March 2026 10:31 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 23 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, March 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) says the fuel quota issued under the QR code system is not sufficient for doctors to carry out their duties.

GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that under the current system, only 15 litres of fuel per week is allowed for cars, which he described as impractical for medical officers.

He said the quota may be enough only if hospitals are located very close to doctors’ residences, but this is not the case for most medical officers.

“The weekly quota means we can use only about two litres of petrol per day. Considering the present traffic congestion, it is not practical, and it is doubtful how long a vehicle can run with just two litres of fuel per day,” he said.

Dr. Wijesinghe added that many doctors are on on-call duty and may have to report to hospitals at any time, making the current fuel allowance insufficient to maintain essential health services.

He said the GMOA has written to Anura Kumara Dissanayake explaining the difficulties faced by doctors and requested a sustainable solution to ensure uninterrupted medical services.

Comments - 23

Lalith Monday, 16 March 2026 10:39 AM

Yes, they will need for private practice as they have to visit various private hospitals

2 20

Kannasamy Monday, 16 March 2026 02:02 PM

Greedy Mudalali Ogres Association.

1 9

Silva Monday, 16 March 2026 10:43 AM

Finding an excuse for another strike

1 17

Sokrates Monday, 16 March 2026 10:47 AM

The fuel quota is not only insufficient for doctors, but for everyone else as well.

0 23

Dr. Dutu Monday, 16 March 2026 03:02 PM

@$Sok.. exactly.

0 2

Citizen k Monday, 16 March 2026 11:05 AM

Try using the bus like most of your patients and then you will be happy with your quota .Always winging about something .

2 19

Insider Monday, 16 March 2026 11:15 AM

Not only fuel quota, you are not satisfied with anything like Shylocks you want the whole pound of flesh from the patients and the country who gave you the education. Inflated egos and greed drives you to forget your oath to serve. Just compare yourselves to dedicated doctors in the Medicines Sans Borders, who provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare all over the world risking their lives. There are hundreds now in ran and Gaza. Your are vultures.

1 21

joshua Monday, 16 March 2026 11:17 AM

That is enough as you morons are on strike most of the days and not at work.

1 18

Ranga Monday, 16 March 2026 11:20 AM

Ok stop your private practises or buy a bicycle Good for your health

1 22

Rasi Monday, 16 March 2026 11:31 AM

It is enough for them to go to the hospital. The problem is that it is not for them to go to their private practices.

1 17

Pol Ravi Monday, 16 March 2026 12:21 PM

Mun unakarayo wathura illanawa vagai. Offsprings of coconut Pluckers' had got the chance to enter Universities. Surely! Check their DNA.

1 14

Dr Prasad Edirisuriya Monday, 16 March 2026 12:26 PM

Good! At least one thing is not enough for these guys. They have too much of other things.

0 14

Mizaru Monday, 16 March 2026 12:33 PM

The Three Wheel driver at the press conference. The bus unions, Tuk Tuk rivers, the school vans etc asked for more fuel. Now this tuk tut driver too wants extra fuel. If the war drags on there will be no fuel at the pumps and be prepared.

0 14

Sri Wickrema Monday, 16 March 2026 01:08 PM

Whatever you are given it is not sufficient. You always demand your pound of flesh.

0 6

Voter Monday, 16 March 2026 01:08 PM

Even when fuel was available you never took care of patients.Now why such concerns for patients?

0 7

Saliya Monday, 16 March 2026 01:56 PM

First duty free car permits were not sufficient. Now the tax payer funded fuel to run them is not sufficient

1 6

kapila Monday, 16 March 2026 01:57 PM

non tax paying vultures

1 9

Wije Monday, 16 March 2026 02:08 PM

Yes , not enough to run around for Private Practice.

1 8

Ram P Monday, 16 March 2026 02:13 PM

GMOA for once have shown something that must be done to keep the medical services going. I will not be surprised if the BASL come out and ask for more fuel for lawyers, specially those who travel to Provincial courts regularly. Then in the Mercantile sector the Executives will need more fuel to attend to many things as their exports only bring us Forex to buy fuel. Where will it end?

1 7

ruwan Monday, 16 March 2026 03:09 PM

very fair request. those who provide essential services should be prioritised.

1 2

Citizen k Monday, 16 March 2026 06:23 PM

What essential service? Always on strike or threatening to strike.

0 2

Emsf Temp Monday, 16 March 2026 06:09 PM

Ask trump

0 0

Jude Tuesday, 17 March 2026 01:25 AM

You guys are on strike Most of the time, why do you need fuel for!???

0 1

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