GMOA calls off TU action following talks with Sagala Ratnayake

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday called off the strike at noon yesterday after talks with Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake. 

The union launched a strike this morning over a recent move to allegedly abduct student leader Rayan Jayalath. A group of men in civilian clothes identifying themselves as policemen accompanied by a police officer in uniform attempted to arrest the student outside the Organization of Professional Associations when he walked out after holding a joint press conference there.  A number of members from the GMOA, including Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya, Dr. Sharada Kannangara, Dr. Haritha Aluthge, Dr. Navin Zoysa, Dr. Chandana Dharmaratne, Dr. Samantha Ananda, Dr. Nalinda Herath, Dr. Senal Fernando, Dr. Gota Ranasinghe and Dr. Kavinda Makalanda, sat for the discussions with Minister Sagala Ratnayake and Dinesh Weerakkody. According to sources, the Minister agreed to an impartial inquiry on the matter. However, speaking in Parliament, the Minister claimed that the attempt was to arrest the student and was not an abduction attempt. Subsequent to the meeting the members of the GMOA met Saman Ekanayake to discuss the minimum standards gazette.