“Protests must not use the public as shields” – MP G. Kodiswaran

13-Apr-2026

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Ampara District Parliamentarian G. Kodiswaran of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi strongly condemned the Government Medical Officers’ Association, stating that using the public as pawns to achieve their demands was unacceptable.

Participating in the debate on Defence Services Regulations and Emergency Laws held in Parliament on April 9, he said such strike actions by medical officers were seriously harming patients.

He noted that doctors’ trade union actions were effectively “playing with the lives of people” and that their demands could be addressed through the Ministry of Health without disrupting services.

He further stated that patients attending monthly clinics were unable to receive treatment and were forced to return after travelling long distances, which was deeply concerning.

He also highlighted the breakdown of the radiotherapy machine at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, stating that cancer patients were unable to receive treatment for over a month. He urged the Ministry of Health to urgently repair the equipment.