Specialists demand allowance for extra duty, transport

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) met Deputy Finance Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday to demand a fixed allowance for extra duty payments and discuss specialist remuneration for Budget 2025.

The meeting, arranged by Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, focused on key demands.

AMS urged the inclusion of medical specialists in the PA 22/99 transport allowance, citing salary parity with parallel SL3 grade officers. They also highlighted the lack of recognition for after-hours work in extra duty payments and proposed a fixed allowance.

AMS explained the everincreasing offsite after-hours work done as on-calls is not properly recognised for extra duty payments, and the DA component of the current DAT allowance cannot cover ever-increasing after-hours offsite work. Furthermore, AMS explained that the current DAT allowance is the same for most junior medical officers and senior specialists, despite the higher frequency of on-calls and greater responsibilities of senior specialists.

AMS proposed creating a single fixed allowance for current extra duty payments and a corrected DA component of the DAT allowance. In addition, AMS called for a specialist allowance for nonclinical duties such as teaching and administrative roles. In response, Prof. Fernando assured that these demands would be considered and agreed to further discussions. AMS urged members to unite in support of these proposals.