Dr. Prasad transferred to LRH over alleged role in strike at Eye Hospital

2026-02-10 - 03:49

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Executive Committee member – Dr. Prasad Colombage, who is said to have led the sudden trade union action at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo, has been transferred to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) with immediate effect. Dr. Colombage has been moved under the annual transfer scheme. On Jan. 22, the GMOA launched a sudden 24-hour token strike, and according to a senior Health Ministry official, the TU action was triggered by a decision taken by the Ministry to transfer 04 doctors, including Dr. Colombage, to other hospitals. Speaking at a recent media briefing, Acting Director of the National Eye Hospital, Consultant Ophthalmologist – Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, said the doctor in question, (described as a leading GMOA member and head of one of its branches), had been receiving overtime payments from the Eye Hospital for 12 years since 2013. Another wave of transfers Dr. Bandara further stated that 18 doctors attached to the National Eye Hospital had been transferred to other hospitals on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission. He added that, alongside these transfers, doctors from other hospitals had been assigned to the Eye Hospital. Although the GMOA had requested the Health Ministry to transfer 50 doctors from the Eye Hospital, Dr. Bandara emphasized that there is no legal basis to carry out transfers according to TU demands. He also noted that 70% of the doctors assigned to the National Eye Hospital are those who had previously served there, and that despite 18 transfers being effected within a single week, hospital operations had not been disrupted. Related News: 50 doctors at National Eye Hospital seek transfers at once