Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana has requested the trade unions involved in the professional action today (13) to take into consideration the people who are inconvenienced through professional action and resume their professional activities.
The following is the comment made by the Minister of Health when a special press conference was held today (13) in the auditorium of the Ministry of Health under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health and Industry Dr. Ramesh Pathirana to inform the media about the professional action in the health service.
“A number of trade unions associated with the Ministry of Health have taken professional action. This professional struggle is taking place regarding a special allowance given to doctors and university professors. The professionals held discussions with the Ministry of Health when this problem first arose. Since this issue is a financial matter, it was linked to the Ministry of Finance. The Secretary of the Ministry of Finance discussed this matter with a relevant professional. Based on the agreement, it was decided to appoint a committee with the Ministry of Finance to discuss the matter again. As a result, a discussion was held with the relevant professionals yesterday under the leadership of the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and the participation of the Director General of Health Services.
The Ministry of Finance had worked to present a system to provide solutions within the existing limited financial space. The relevant trade unions had not expressed their agreement about the amount of money that is the basis for providing the relevant solution. Due to that, this professional action is being implemented again today.”
What we are mentioning here is that each of these professionals is very valuable to us. They have done a great service for the improvement of the health service in this country. It is being done. The matter of giving a special allowance to doctors and university professors has been popular all along. About 1300 doctors have left the country due to the financial and economic crisis in the country. This allowance has been given to them considering that they are a section that will be greatly affected by the tax crisis. A large part of the money received from this allowance goes back to the government as taxes. The Ministry of Finance had stated that they will not get a large amount of money through this.
Considering the difficulties faced by all government employees, the President took steps to increase the salaries by 10,000 rupees. Part of it is already given. Full amount will be received after April. The Ministry of Finance has to pay two salaries to public employees in the month of April. The Ministry of Finance clarified the situation.
We, as the Ministry of Health, respectfully request all professionals to take into consideration the people of this country who are inconvenienced through these professional measures and resume their professional activities and help maintain the services for the people of this country.” He further said.
