Medical officers demand restoration of duty-free vehicle import scheme

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has formally requested the restoration of duty-free vehicle import permits, which were suspended two years ago. According to a statement from GMOA Secretary Dr. U.K.B. Warakagoda, the reinstatement of the scheme forms part of a broader set of demands from the medical profession.

The vehicle permit scheme represented a significant employment benefit for government doctors and its suspension has compounded existing workplace grievances within the medical sector. The association has cited ongoing concerns regarding salary structures and allowance calculations as contributing factors to current discontent among medical officers.

In response to the unresolved issues, GMOA has announced plans for a protest demonstration scheduled for November 10 at Colombo National Hospital. The planned action reflects escalating tensions between the medical profession and government authorities over compensation packages and employment conditions.

The restoration of duty-free vehicle permits had previously served as an incentive for government medical officers. The suspension of the scheme occurred during a period of significant fiscal pressure on the national economy, though the association contends that the suspension should now be reversed as conditions stabilize.