Doctors seek transport payment

20 February, 2012

'It is only about 5000 of them are doing private practise' Medical doctors working in the state sector in Sri Lanka have warned to take industrial action if the government fails to pay them an additional transport allowance. Dr Sankalpa Marasinghe, the spokesman for the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said though the request is long overdue, the allowance is more needed in the wake of fuel price hike. The GMOA is seeking an increased transport allowance of Rs.33,000 per month. Dr Marasinghe said the government doctors would be compelled to engage in more private practice, if their demand for the additional transport allowance is met. Private practise "There are about 16,000 doctors working in government hospitals. It is only about 5000 of them are doing private practise," he told BBC Sandeshaya.  The overall majority of doctors in Sri Lanka do not engage in private practise but most of them will be compelled to if a proper salary is not paid   Dr Sankalpa Marasinghe Not only the doctors, he said, it will be very difficult to keep other professionals such as engineers and accountants in the government sector if “an acceptable salary” is not paid to them. “The overall majority of doctors in Sri Lanka do not engage in private practise but most of them will be compelled to if a proper salary is not paid,” the GMOA spokesman added. Dr Marasinghe, however, refused to comment whether private practise for doctors should be banned in Sri Lanka. Fishermen, farmers, three-wheel drivers and private transport companies as well as the opposition parties have been protesting the recent hike of fuel prices by the government.