With reference M/s M. Abeyratne,s letter of 10th May in ‘The Island’ newspaper. Doctors and nurses are now notorious for strikes for the flimsiest reasons, latest being the strike at the Ratnapura hospital on the accusation that a male nurse used abusive language on a lady doctor. After a Departmental inquiry the accused was transferred, whereupon the nurses struck work claiming that the inquiry was biased. The strike was called off later. The male nurse having political clout and as a trade unionist must have felt a little important. Sheer vanity! It has been claimed that some patients have died as a result of this strike.

This type of behaviour, I think, arise mainly due the lack of proper training. Officers holding responsible posts should be trained to use tact, humour, toleration and patience in dealing with the subordinate staff and the latter should be impressed upon the importance of reciprocating and respecting the senior officers. Government officers should learn to soften their aloofness adjusting to the twenty first century. Their training period should invariably include sessions on the development of interpersonal relationships among various grades so that the state machinery will work smoothly.

Every cog in the wheel is important for smooth running. The mentality of superiority should be replaced with the spirit of team work. When an embarrassing situation arises, at least the senior officer should learn to remain silent displaying maturity. If the officers follow this type of attitude, I think most of the so-called problems won’t arise.