Nurses’ union warns of strike

The Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA), having given the green light for an island-wide protests in the near future, has begun signing a petition in hospitals across Sri Lanka today (11).

In a press release issued today (11), the GNOA President Mr Saman Rathnapriya stated that before resorting to a strike, they have initiated a protest petition, which commenced today in hospitals nationwide.

The GNOA stated that the 2025 budget has introduced several injustices to the nursing profession, including the government's decision to downgrade overtime allowances from 1/160 to 1/200, reduce public holiday and weekend allowances from 1/20 to 1/30, and extend the promotion period from five years to ten years.

In their announcement, the GNOA mentioned that they had carried out protests across the island on February 27. Additionally, a three-hour strike and agitation campaign had been planned for March 6 but was temporarily suspended following assurances given during discussions with the Minister of Health.

However, they have decided to resume the protest as the minister's assurance that the curtailed promotion would be reinstated under the previous system and the issue would be resolved after discussions with the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance has not yet been fulfilled, Mr. Rathnapriya stated in the press release.