June 09, Colombo (LNW): Public sector veterinary surgeons across Sri Lanka commenced a token strike early this (09) morning, expressing their growing dissatisfaction over what they describe as systematic obstruction of their professional development by senior bureaucrats.
The industrial action, which began at 6 a.m., marks a coordinated effort by the State Veterinary Surgeons’ Association to bring longstanding grievances into the public eye.
Speaking at a briefing in Colombo, the Association’s Chairman, Dr Upul Ranjith Kumara, outlined the motivations behind the strike. Central to their concerns is the alleged interference by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, whom the Association accuses of deliberately thwarting efforts to create an independent service structure for government veterinary surgeons.
Such a structure, they argue, is vital to ensuring career progression, equitable recognition, and operational autonomy within the public service.
Dr Kumara emphasised that this protest, while currently symbolic in nature, is a clear warning of escalating action if the authorities fail to address their concerns promptly.
He warned that services at state-run veterinary offices nationwide would be impacted, resulting in delays and interruptions to regular veterinary care and animal health initiatives.
