The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has announced plans to launch a series of protests tomorrow, in response to what it claims is a biased and unjust disciplinary inquiry against one of its members, Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha, who serves as the Assistant Secretary of the GMOA and is affiliated with the Badulla Teaching Hospital.
According to the GMOA, Dr. Rajapaksha, in his role as a trade union leader, brought attention to the critical drug shortage at the Badulla Hospital in 2022. The association expressed deep concern over the Health Ministry’s decision to initiate what it described as a partial and unfair disciplinary inquiry into Dr. Rajapaksha’s actions.
The GMOA argues that Dr. Rajapaksha, by exposing significant issues within the health sector, was fulfilling his duties as a trade union leader. However, the Health Ministry has portrayed his actions as serious misconduct, citing violations of the establishment code.
The association has criticized the inquiry, alleging it has been biased from the outset and influenced by political motives. Despite raising these concerns with higher authorities, the GMOA claims their complaints have been ignored.
In response, the GMOA has resolved to take trade union action in support of Dr. Rajapaksha, emphasizing the need to protect trade union rights. As a result, GMOA members plan to hold protests at hospitals across all districts, warning the government that further action will follow if their demands are not met.