INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Army personnel have been deployed to ensure that daily functions at hospitals remain uninterrupted after a series of strikes were launched
by the health sector trade unions.The measure was taken after a request was made by the Health Ministry from the Commander of the Sri Lanka
Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, said the Media Division of Sri Lanka Army.Accordingly, army troops have been deployed to the
national hospitals in Colombo and Kandy; teaching hospitals in Kalubowila, Karapitiya, Mahamodara, Peradeniya and Kurunegala; and the
government hospitals in Matara, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda, Nawalapitiya, Badulla, Gampola and Mirigama hospitals.Nearly 500 personnel of the
army have reportedly been assigned to carry out the services at the hospitals while the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army instructed all the
commanders of the defence forces to arrange for dedicated troops to be deployed to hospitals in case of an emergency.Earlier today, it was
reported that the army personnel had stepped up to cover the duties at the Badulla Hospital
Accordingly, despite the token strike launched by the health sector trade unions, the services of the doctors, nurses and issuance of
medicinal drugs remained uninterrupted, Ada Derana correspondent said.When inquired by Ada Derana, Director of the Badulla Hospital, Dr
Palitha Rajapakshe stated that the junior health staff of the hospital had left after completing their night shifts and that the rest of the
emphasized that this measure only intends to save the lives of the people and not to sabotage the trade union action
He also urged the public to bring the patients in critical condition to the hospital immediately, without keeping them at home due to the
ongoing strike action.Against this backdrop, the day-to-day functions of many hospitals across the island have come to a standstill, owing
to the trade union action launched by several health sector employees demanding an allowance of Rs 35,000.Several health sector trade
unions, including the hospital administration and junior health staff, launched a joint strike action effective from 06.00 a.m
and failure to provide them with a similar allowance.Meanwhile, the trade unions affiliated with the Paramedical Services Front (PMSF)
launched a 48-hour strike last morning (Jan.10)
The token strike which commenced at 8:00 a.m
engaged in a 24-hour token strike on Tuesday (Jan
medical services have vowed to resort to a continuous strike if the government fails to address the issue.On Monday (Jan.08), the Cabinet of
