DOCTORS TO CONTINUE STRIKE (99 Jun 23)
The doctors' trade union has decided to continue with the strike despite an enjoining order issued by the District Court, Kolomba, on the 22nd of June, restraining them from continuing their trade union action. The doctors have taken trade union action against the demand of the Vayamba provincial council, that the provincial council should have the authority to select and appoint doctors to certain positions in the public health sector. An organisation by the name Peoples welfare legal foundation had filed a case in the district court against the doctor's trade union.
Leaving aside the legalities involved with the strike this incident illustrates the problems associated with the provincial councils. Even the appointment procedures in the case of certain officials create problems. At present the relevant appointments are made by the provincial councils after the appointees are selected by the department of health. The Vayamba provincial council is not satisfied with that. The court is not in a position to resolve this. All it can do is to decide whether the trade union action by the doctors' union is legal or not.