The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to stage a protest in Colombo on November 10, demanding solutions to long-standing issues concerning doctors’ salaries and allowances, as well as the shortage of doctors in the health sector.
The association said the protest is scheduled to be held in front of the Colombo National Hospital.
The GMOA stated that it had repeatedly sought an opportunity to hold discussions with the Health Ministry and other government authorities to address unresolved salary and allowance issues that have persisted for several years. However, it said no satisfactory response had been received so far.
The association pointed out that several issues had emerged following the economic crisis in 2022, including the cancellation of tax-concession vehicle import permits previously granted to doctors to facilitate their transportation.
It also highlighted the heavy taxation imposed on doctors’ overall salaries, including allowances provided to cover work-related expenses.
Meanwhile, the GMOA said that during the 2025 public sector salary revision, one-third of doctors’ overtime and holiday allowances had been withheld, with a promise that the payments would be restored once the country's economic situation improved.
The association further noted that no comprehensive revision of approved health sector staffing requirements, based on scientific data, had been carried out since 2015.
It also revealed that the number of doctors currently serving under the Ministry of Health is below 25,000, pointing to a significant shortage of medical professionals in the country.
