Only 15 out of over 500 nursing staff reported for duty yesterday for the 1 pm shift as the strike continued in defiance of a court order, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Directress Dr. Chandra Gunathilake told "The Island" yesterday.

Only the same number has reported for duty, on Thursday, too, for same shift. Reports from Peradeniya said patients have started leaving hospital due to lack of nursing care.

The roundtable conference attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage, Hospital Directress Dr. Gunathilake, doctors and relevant officials of the hospital ended late Thursday afternoon without any agreement reached over the changing room at the Operation Theatre which was the cause of dissent

The doctor’s as well as the nurse’s reluctance to budge from their claim for the changing room has posed obstacles to a consensus.

The nurses were on strike since last Saturday and according to sources there is a likelihood of nurses in other hospitals expressing solidarity with their Peradeniya colleagues.

Meanwhile Police sources said that 34 people summoned by the court including nurses, doctors and administrators promptly reported for duty following the Court order but the plight of those who still continue to strike will be decided when the case is taken up on the next date.