The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has submitted a comprehensive set of proposals to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance ahead of the 2027 budget, aiming to address the ongoing exodus of doctors, enhance financial stability for medical professionals, and modernize the country’s healthcare system. The association characterized the proposals as an evidence-based plan aligned with the government’s core policy objectives, intending to stabilize the medical workforce and improve healthcare delivery while strengthening sector infrastructure.
The recommendations are organized into five key areas: workforce stability and salary integrity, facilities and working environment, taxation, targeted support for various categories of medical officers, and positioning healthcare as a contributor to economic growth. Central to the GMOA’s submission is a call for the reinstatement of approximately one-third of allowances that had been suspended due to recent economic constraints, alongside rectifying outstanding payment discrepancies.
The proposals also suggest replacing the current manual system of calculating extra duty payments with a fixed allowance, and adjusting disturbance, availability, and transport allowances based on a defined formula subject to annual review. The GMOA has proposed introducing a 15% occupational safety or risk allowance, reflecting the hazards faced by healthcare personnel.
In terms of service structure, the association advocates for creating a unified Sri Lankan medical service encompassing all medical officers, abolishing the preliminary grade, allowing direct recruitment into Grade II, and introducing a supra grade for advancement. They further recommend updating foreign living allowances for doctors pursuing postgraduate training overseas to align with current cost-of-living standards.
Recognizing the demands of 24-hour healthcare provision, the GMOA underscores the need to modernize the concessionary vehicle permit system to facilitate doctor mobility between hospitals and residences. This initiative would initially extend eligibility to specialist consultants before encompassing other medical officer categories. The proposal also calls for restoring the Research Allowance to 35% of the basic salary to foster a stronger research culture among doctors.
On taxation, the association highlights the need for a separate tax scheme for professionals, arguing that existing rates, which equate business profits and government employee salaries, are inequitable. They propose increasing the tax-free annual threshold to Rs. 2.4 million, introducing a monthly employment tax relief of Rs. 50,000, and expanding tax rate brackets from 5% to 30%.
Targeted allowances are recommended for consultants, including new professional commitment, covering-up, acting and associate consultant, and academic allowances, reflecting their mentoring roles and contributions. For Grade Medical Officers who manage the bulk of clinical work, a professional and clinical burden allowance is suggested. Additionally, the GMOA calls for an update to the non-practicing allowance for administrative-grade medical officers, which has reportedly gone unreviewed for an extended period.
The proposals extend beyond remuneration, advocating for the establishment of centers of excellence in medical training within Sri Lanka and the introduction of a sabbatical leave scheme enabling doctors to gain overseas experience. The GMOA also recommends incorporating clinical travel medicine as a postgraduate qualification.
Amid an acute shortage of medical professionals exacerbated by economic and political challenges, the GMOA is also preparing submissions for the government-appointed 15-member Salary Commission tasked with overhauling the salary and pension systems. The commission, formed in June, has invited stakeholder input by October 9.
Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, GMOA media spokesperson, emphasized that thousands of doctors have emigrated or plan to leave, threatening the stability of Sri Lanka’s hospital system. “We are on the verge of a collapse in the hospital system due to the lack of doctors – both specialists and grade medical officers,” he said, stressing the urgency of a clear, strategic plan to retain talent within the public sector.
The union’s forthcoming proposal intends to link remuneration directly to the services provided, aiming to make state sector employment financially viable for doctors who currently work extended hours with insufficient pay. Dr. Wijesinghe noted, “They are highly underpaid at the moment. Currently, for a month, it’s only 120 hours, not 180."