The government has announced plans to revise doctors' allowances, update outdated cadre structures, and address a significant backlog of medical graduates awaiting internship placements, according to Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni.
The Sri Lankan government is preparing comprehensive reforms to modernize the medical sector, addressing longstanding grievances among healthcare professionals and tackling administrative backlogs. Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni informed Parliament that the ministry is reviewing allowances, working conditions, and regulatory frameworks governing medical officers, with legislative amendments expected to be presented soon.
Key concerns raised by Opposition Member of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara have prompted action on several fronts. The 2015 cadre list is outdated, while allowances such as the Rs 70,000 Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) payment and Rs 6,000 administrative allowance have not kept pace with living costs. Additionally, restrictions on extra duty work—capped at 6 hours daily and 120 hours monthly—were established decades ago and are under review for potential adjustment based on hospital unit capacity.
The most urgent challenge concerns medical training delays. Approximately 2,500 graduates, including those with foreign qualifications, await internship placements, while over 2,000 post-internship doctors face delays in securing permanent positions. To address this backlog, the ministry plans to implement overlapping internship training placements, having secured approval from both the Sri Lanka Medical Council and University Grants Commission.
Other proposed measures include introducing fixed allowances for specialist doctors, potentially extending this benefit to other medical professionals, and establishing a new "Mid-Grade" career pathway for grade medical officers. A special committee has developed a revised cadre structure for Ministry of Finance discussion, while future hospital unit creation will require technical committee approval to prevent unplanned expansion.
