Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has warned that doctors who have completed their internships must apply for recruitment into Government service by 12 noon today (4), stressing that the deadline will not be extended.

He said 453 newly qualified doctors, who completed their studies at local and foreign medical institutions and a mandatory one-year internship, are eligible to apply. Those who fail to do so will forfeit the opportunity to enter State service and will be limited to private practice as doctors registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council.

Jayatissa accused the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) of using the issue of these young doctors to justify its ongoing strike action, which he described as politically motivated and lacking a valid basis.

“This strike has no foundation. It is only aimed at embarrassing the government,” he said.

The minister also claimed that there had been reports of threats directed at doctors to discourage them from applying. He warned that immediate action would be taken against any attempts at intimidation and urged affected individuals to report such incidents to the ministry.

Sri Lanka has experienced repeated disruptions in the health sector due to trade union action in recent years, affecting the continuity of patient care. Jayatissa said the Government remained committed to ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process, adding that strict legal measures would be taken against those seeking to obstruct it.