Any member representing the Public Service United Nurses Union (PSUNU) who will join the July 10 token strike organized National Trade Union centre will be deemed to have violated PSUNU policies and his or her membership will be cancelled. Health Ministry is certain that the normal health services will not be affected and a number of trade unions will not join the strike, PSUNU President Chief Incumbent of the Narahenpita Abeyaramadipathi Ven. Muruthtthetuwa Ananda there said at a function held to felicitate Healthcare Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who has been elected asChairman of the WHO Executive Committee.

Healthcare Minister de Silva said that the government would not allow any organization to disrupt the functions of the health services and the relevant contingency plans had been formulated to face any emergency situations. The Health Ministry had ensured the supply and preparation of foods to in-patients, cleaning of toilets by the hospital staff.

He noted that in case the normal health services were affected, an action would be taken by the respective hospital authorities and hospital development committees to call for 100 civilians for each hospital to work. By now several health services trade unions had pledged not to join the strike at this juncture.

Referring to the trade unions which are not participating in the strike, Minister de Silva said that the Public Service United Nurses Union, Sri Lanka Nidahas Health Services Union, Health Services Drivers Union, the Colombo National Hospital Nidaha Health Services Union, Health Services Store Managers Union, Health Services Management Assistants Association, Family Health Workers Union, Government Dispensers Union and several other unions would keep away from the strike.

Minister de Silva said that no medical officers association had informed he Ministry of their participation in the strike and the government was sure that the strike would be futile. The Public Service United Nurses Union was the most powerful nurses union and the government was always flexible in resolving various issues of the trade unions as a whole.