by Dilanthi Jayamanne

Doctors of the Sri Lanka National Hospital (SLNH) warned the public and health authorities that they would resort to trade union action within two weeks if the ministry and the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) did not remove unauthorised constructions outside the hospital square.

Media spokesman for the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Dr. Rukshan Bellana called on Minister of Health, P. Dayaratne and CMC Commissioner, Dr. Jayantha Liyanage, to declare their exact position regarding the structures.

The tug of war between the GMOA and the vendors in unauthorised structures started when some persons who had come to the Accident Service of the SLNH to admit a patient on the day of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year had assaulted a doctor on duty.

Dr. Bellana said there was an entire political twist to the issue, "and that is why the CMC nor the Ministry seem to press the matter much further."

Bellana said the union had called off the ensuing doctors strike, which had been on the verge of spilling over to other government hospitals in the island after the ministry and the Department of Health had promised to strengthen the security of the hospital and impose security checkpoints at both entry points of Regent Street in order to screen those who used the road. "But we are most disappointed with the attitude adopted by both the Ministry and the CMC," he said.

The GMOA media spokesman said the ministry had requested time till April 30 to carry out their promises of furthering the security of National Hospital doctors. "But almost a week has passed after the deadline and nothing concrete has been done," Bellana lamented.

A ministerial spokesman said that only a letter requesting the removal of unauthorised structures in hospital square had been sent to the CMC but "nothing has been done yet."

The Council’s Commissioner told The Island that over 30 persons had received authorisation from the CMC to construct shops within the boundaries of the hospital on condition that they would vacate their present premises with 30 days prior notice should the Council wish to develop the road or broaden it.

He denied allegations that he had asked the vendors to acquire letters from SLNH doctors if they wanted permission to stay on. "These shop owners have written permission from the previous CMC Commissioner given to them in 1998 authorising the constructions," he said.

"You cannot just shut down roads or insert security posts to screen people who enter it," he added, pointing out that even roads which had been previously closed to vehicles and the public had been re-opened for use.