N/E doctors to report to work from Dec. 4

Nadira Gunatilleke

All doctors who refrained from serving in the North and East State hospitals after the murder of Dr. Palitha Padmakumara have agreed to report back to work from Thursday, December 4, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said that the doctors presented a few of their demands. They are - a risk allowance, protection, compensation for the murdered doctor, providing relevant administrative instructions and a life insurance for the doctors who serve in the North and East. Rs.5 million compensation has been approved for the murdered doctor as a result of a Cabinet Paper forwarded by the Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The Ministry has already appointed three officials to coordinate the districts. Dr. Sarath Weerabandara will coordinate the Mannar and Vavuniya districts, Dr.V.Jeganadan will coordinate Ampara and Batticaloa districts while Dr.W.M.T.B.Wijekoon will coordinate the Trincomalee district. The doctors will be provided with accommodation in one place in each district until they get proper accommodation and other required facilities. The coordinators will look after all the requirements of the doctors who serve in the North and East.

Discussions held between all relevant parties including those held between the GMOA and Minister De Silva and the GMOA and the President's Secretary Lalith Weerathunga were successful. Ministry Secretary Dr.Athula Kahandaliyanage and Ministry officials also took part in the discussions.

The Ministry will provide transport for the doctors to travel to their destinations on December 4.