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Military mans hospitals while workers strike
By Lakna Paranamanna and Kushali Atukorale
The military was brought into man activities at hospitals around
the country after minor workers launched a strike yesterday.
The Army and Air Force were brought in by the authorities to carry
out duties at hospitals, which led to a smooth operation despite
the strike launched by thousands of striking hospital workers across
some 20 hospitals around the country.
The patients, when questioned by The Bottom Line said that despite
the strike they did not meet with any particular difficulties.
“I
came with my wife to the hospital because she is undergoing surgery
today. I am happy to say that so far, we haven’t undergone
any hardships due to the strike,” Nalinda Bandara, who was
at the De Soysa Hospital said.
Malini Perera, who had come to the Hospital to visit her sister,
also expressed similar sentiments: “I came to visit my sister.
So far, she has not undergone any difficulties. All the needs of
the patients are being very well attended to.”
Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told The Bottom Line
that the military was brought into carry out the work at the hospitals,
including the De Soysa Maternity Hospital and Castle Street Hospital
at Colombo 8. “We have put Army and Air Force personnel to
man the operation in hospitals,” Nanayakkara said.
Meanwhile, All Ceylon Health Service Union Deputy Secretary Gamini
Kumarasinghe speaking at a news conference yesterday said that the
Minister and the other concerned officials have threatened to disrupt
the strike by using the military.
He further pointed out that the Minister should find a solution
rather than making the issue further complicated.
“They are playing with the lives of the patients and the poor
hospital workers who work around the clock due to the scarcity of
hospital employees,” Kumarasinghe added.
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