Government Nursing Officers' Association (GNOA) said today they would go to the International Court against the government for suppressing their right to strike.

GNOA President Saman Rathnapriya said they were already taking necessary action to file a case in the international court.

He said they had a right to stage a strike in terms of Trade Union Ordinance in Sri Lanka and international laws such as the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention No. 98 and the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention No. 87.

He said despite the right for trade union action, the government had suppressed their right to resort to trade union action by declaring health service as essential service using powers vested on the President.

Saman Rathnapriya said they were also planning to make submissions to the court on the credibility of their trade union action.

He said the health authorities including Health Secretary had ignored their responsibilities by not intervening to adress their grievances despite repeated requests made for more than four months.

He said the Government Nursing Officers' Association withdrew from their strike respecting the court order. (Ajith Siriwardana)