Oct 12, Colombo: The trade union of Sri Lankan doctors, Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has threatened trade union action within the next two weeks demanding a solution to their salary anomalies.

The doctors' threat to strike work comes in the heels of the Sri Lankan university lecturers' decision to return to work after a three-month long strike.

The GMOA has demanded the government to grant them an increase in the salary ratio to 1:12 and to increase the transport allowance allocated to doctors.

Additional Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne told a news conference that the current salary ratio between the lowest and highest grades was 1:4, which needs to be increased.

He has noted that Finance Ministry and the National Salaries and Cadre Commission have also accepted the need to increase the ratio to 1:12.

However, Dr. Ariyaratne has said the issue has not been addressed and the authorities have failed to discuss the issue with them.

The GMOA has also noted that government doctors are not provided with transport facilities and allowances since they are not included in the 22/99 circular.

The GMOA therefore states that the government doctors would commence a strike action within the next two weeks if the authorities fail to address these issues.