New alliance of Sri Lankan health unions to contain opposition to IMF austerity
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
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The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) convened a meeting of health sector unions on January 29, launching a "new broad alliance" to supposedly defend free public health care, but in reality, to stifle mounting opposition among health employees, with union leaders admitting "no strike plans or decisions" were discussed.
The alliance emerged after the GMOA's 48-hour strike on January 23-25 was rejected by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna–led National People's Power (JVP/NPP) government, with Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa declaring doctors' demands could not be met "given the current economic situation", and instead, accusing health workers of "holding patients hostage".
The "new alliance" is being formed to block a genuine fight against IMF-dictated austerity and privatization of key public health functions, with the JVP/NPP government pressing ahead with cuts to real public health spending and expanding public-private partnership (PPP) schemes in government hospitals, as acknowledged by HPF president Ravi Kumudesh and GMOA president Saman Ratnapriya, who have a record of defending the IMF program and supporting austerity measures.
