Sri Lanka: Unionized medical officers in public hospitals plan to strike nationwide Sept. 18

Unionized doctors affiliated to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) will hold a one-day strike at public hospitals across Sri Lanka Sept. 18. Organizers are denouncing allegedly unfair disciplinary action on a colleague. Union leaders may prolong the strike at short notice; recurrent work stoppages are possible in the coming weeks.

Unless averted, limited disruptions to non-emergency public healthcare services are likely nationwide during the work stoppage. Increased demand may lead to longer waiting times at private medical centers.

Strike participants may protest during the action; demonstrations are most likely near government hospitals and buildings, including the Ministry of Health in Colombo. Police deployment and traffic curbs are possible near demonstration sites. Localized business and transport disruptions may occur near large gatherings. Although protests are likely to pass off peacefully, minor skirmishes are possible if activists attempt to breach security cordons.