Nov 20, Colombo: Rejecting the Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva's assurance on doctors' security in North and East, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) stressed that they will remain on their stand to withdraw from the hospitals in the two provinces.

Making a special announcement Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said this evening that the issue on doctors who work in North and East hospitals was resolved. He said the officers in GMOA have agreed with him this evening to commence the daily medical activities in both provinces.

However, rejecting the Minister's claim, Dr. Upul Gunasekara, Deputy Secretary of the GMOA asserted that they have not taken a decision to commence work in the North and East hospitals.

He said the doctors will remain strongly on their stand to withdraw from the hospitals till the government satisfactorily assures their safety.

Following the murder of Medical Superintendent of the Vavunathivu hospital in Batticaloa Dr. Palitha Padmakumara, GMOA have decided to withdraw all the Sinhala doctors from the North and East hospitals.