It has been decided to end the strike action which was started jointly by several trade unions of the health service demanding that the stipend of 35,000 rupees to be given to the doctors be given to them.

With the decision taken by the cabinet to provide the allowance, paramedic professionals started a strike last Tuesday, and the activities of hospitals across the island were disrupted.

In such a background, the health staff including hospital secretaries, administrative officers, health work assistants also started a one-day strike from 6 am yesterday and decided to end the action at 8.00 am today.

Speaking in this regard, the convenor of the Health Service Trade Union Alliance Mr. Ravi Kumudesh said that if the President does not intervene to solve this problem, he will resort to professional action again in the future.

Meanwhile, a meeting between Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and representatives of the All Ceylon Nurses Association is scheduled to be held today.

Mr. S. B. Madiwatta, the secretary of the union, said that he will hand over a letter containing the current situation and his proposals to the minister.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeeva, President of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, also mentioned that many discrepancies have been created in the health system due to the policies of applying different plasters.

However, public displeasure has been directed at trade unions for taking helpless patients hostage to win professional rights.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Army has been deployed to maintain the health services that have collapsed due to the strike to some extent.
(lknews.lk)