Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Attack on Uni. students: GMOA to launch a token strike today

22 June 2017 12:13 am - 34     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Executive Committee of the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) last night decided to resort to a trade union action that will lead to a countrywide token strike to begin at 8.00am today, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.

Speaking to Daily Mirror Dr. Aluthge said the decision to launch an indefinite strike was taken for two reasons, firstly condemning the brutal attack on university students who protested at the Health Ministry building yesterday and secondly for not extending the tenure of Professor Carlo Fonseka as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), a decision taken by Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Dr. Aluthge pointed out that according to the SLMC Ordinance a Chairman could be appointed for five years. Professor Fonseka’s five-year term expired in December last year. After a request by the SLMC Professor Fonseka’s tenure was extended by another six months by the Health Minister. That extension was to expire on June 30 and while his tenure could be extended by the minister for another six months thereafter, Minister Senaratne seems to be against this and was trying to appoint one of his favourites to the post, Dr. Aluthge said.

An emergency Executive Committee meeting will be held at 12 noon today at the GMOA Head Office to decide on further action.

He further said that doctors at hospital emergency units, Dengue control units and hospitals in the disaster affected areas would continue to treat patients as before. (Chaturanga Pradeep)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 34

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Sincere Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:42 PM

    I wish to request GMOA to be reasonable and reduce their strike by one hour for the damages done to a public property. Because when the government tax us it is the general public that have to pay for the damages incurred to public property.

    hemantha Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:27 AM

    Get loss thug GMOA, your basters are not above everybody to get everything in your way.

    Appu Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:30 AM

    Great timing. Enjoy killing more people during dengue crisis. Not forgetting that your misguidance of students. Dont allow them to get hurt for your own agenda

    truth teller Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:38 AM

    Doctors, tips to spend the day1. Screw waiting patients, lets do a family outing2. Good movies are in theater. Couldn't watch anything since last strike3. Sneak out and see patients at private hospital and increase cash flow.4. Lets take kids to the ground and play see-saw5. Hammer the inner voice which murmurs about this unreasonable strike and cheer up GMOA

    Trehan Munasinghe Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:39 AM

    "Dr. Aluthge said the decision to launch an indefinite strike was taken for two reasons, firstly condemning the brutal attack on university students who protested at the Health Ministry building yesterday....." Are you blind, you need to probably go see a eye doctor first... Yesterday wasn't a protest we all saw what happened, and in simple English it is called vandalism and thuggery... The STF did the right thing.

    Sincere Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:42 AM

    Every dark cloud has a silver lining. In a way GMOA, with their continued token strikes, is now training people to find alternatives for GMOA. Soon people will find a way to do without them!

    lalith de silva Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:00 AM

    weldome police and STF....... if damadge is more than 25k ruppes or over these thugs can be arrested and claim damadges...... same treatment to be goven to GOMA by the people and must demand their resigation

    Bala Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:12 AM

    Who is running the Health Ministry - GMOA or Minister. why Octagarian Carlo - is he tthe only qualified one or just GMOA favourite lackey.

    Prabhath Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:33 PM

    Does the GMOA want government to close its eyes and allow a ruthless gang of outlaws to come and destroy the Ministry? Allow them to kill the officers there and perhaps set fire to the building? Why cannot the courts prevent this type of mass protests when the experience clearly indicates that they will create havoc?

    saudmohammed Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:26 AM

    GMOA acts as if they are rulers of this country. They expect the government to bow down to all their demands and if they don't the poor patients are made to suffer by staging strike. This must stop. There is a limit for the public to bear and the moment their patience exceed the limit the doctors are due to get their rewards from the public

    Samitha Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:45 PM

    What is the different between so called thugs students and these educated Doctors.

    Ronnie Bugger Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:48 PM

    These beggars should be attending to the multitudes of sick and ailing people in the Country rather than inciting strikes. What a waste of Government paid salaries to these unscrupulous MF's

    Arnold Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:49 PM

    The inter student union should be disbanded'as and made illegal as they are free loaders. If they are paying for their education they could make any demands.

    Nimal Thursday, 22 June 2017 01:29 PM

    I would like to plead to doctors that keep the students away from riots , why , if even a single child has got hart seriously or dead you too are responsible.this issue is totally up to SLMC and should decide whether or not issue professional license to SAITEM or not. Why you need students.Let them continue their education

    John Thursday, 22 June 2017 01:45 PM

    Can you name which other democratic country country would have tolerated these anti-social elements in society?!

    srinath.gunaratne Thursday, 22 June 2017 01:45 PM

    GMOA must wonder why they do note get support even from the educated class in the country?I think people have to remind them whose money paid for their education, If they do not want to do their job, they are free to leave to those so called green pastures.Not a single country in developed world treat any profession different to the others. They should go there and learn it!People are on the floors of hospitals, Nobody makes a noise for that!Pet scanner is still not fitted in cancer hospital, No words for that!I am trying hard to understand how a Marxist JVP supports capitalist GMOA

    Siri de Alwis Thursday, 22 June 2017 03:34 PM

    Whay can't this government sack these disprin distributors.Siri

    rew Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:25 AM

    Louts - Go back to where you belong

    Selvyn Thursday, 22 June 2017 01:45 AM

    GMOA seems to be the God father. The two student leaders are missing at the forefront leaving others at risk. via DM Android App

    Shana Thursday, 22 June 2017 02:09 AM

    Rajitha is a law to himself just because he is a key player in Yahapalanaya. Any other country he would havre been removed.

    Nalin S Thursday, 22 June 2017 02:33 AM

    Here you go ! Waiting on an assault on students to go on strike. These thug students got right treatment and same await for the thug GMOA executives.

    Ram Thursday, 22 June 2017 02:42 AM

    Yes, you may arrange an indefinite strike. I am sure the people will take care of you. You cannot dictate to the government to have everything your way.

    Sri Lankan Thursday, 22 June 2017 02:44 AM

    Current chairman of medical council, Prof Carlo Fonseka is 84 years old. Everyone knows how Prof Lalitha Mendis was removed from the post of SLMC chairperson and Carlo was appointed during Mahinda's period. If your grand father is 84 year old, will you give responsibilities at home? If your grandmother is 84, you would not allow her to even add salt to your food. How can such an old person run a responsible national body? GMOA is a bunch of thugs looking for silly reasons to strike.

    AliG Thursday, 22 June 2017 04:46 AM

    Attack on Uni students? This is a joke. The students went on a rampage destroying public property. What did they expect? The Police should have been much more forceful.

    yahiya Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:01 AM

    Govt. must use the goons to control the GMOA.Its too much.

    Kosala Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:18 AM

    Smash GMOA too please via DM Android App

    De Silva Thursday, 22 June 2017 01:14 AM

    Funny demands by this so called doctor's union.

    mithra Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:27 AM

    Prof.Carlo Fonseka should have the courtesy to resign and retire from this post as an educated person. He nor GMOA think that the person CF is indispensable. We need a sensible dictatorship to govern this country. We are not yet matured for Democracy.

    gamini Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:33 AM

    looks like these guys are just waiting for any opportunity to go on a strike

    Vernon Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:44 AM

    Attack (if any) on university students, is not a matter of concern for the trade union of Government Medical Officers. Appointing a Chairman of the Medical Council is also the same. So GMOA has no trade union right to strike so suddenly on issues which has no concern to their profession as Government Medical Officers. I think government need to bring legislature to prevent such demonstrations by trade unions on issues which has no relevance to their trade.

    RD Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:51 AM

    GMOA doctors have the IQ but lack of EQ.

    willows Thursday, 22 June 2017 08:59 AM

    Good, now everyone can see the true colors of GMOA terror outfit?

    smartgent Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:11 AM

    Shana, you must be off your head. What a 84 yr old person can contribute to an important office as SLMC? His service should have been terminated at the age of 60 or 65. By his presence he is obstructing the appointment of active and able personnel as the chairman of SLMC. He should be grateful to the govt to have extended his service time and again and now being a responsible citizen he should on his own tender his resignation and give a chance to a younger person who should be able to do a better job

    Duminda Thursday, 22 June 2017 09:20 AM

    What a bunch of jokers are this gang?. Truly a product of free education. Can SL Govt., ask help to solve these funny strikes from world body.. "DOCTORS WITH OUT BOARDERS" help now.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H