The Society of Government Pharmacists (SGM) today warned the Health Ministry and said they will join a decision making process in collaboration with other trade unions in the health service, if the ministry does not take action to provide transport for health service professionals by Wednesday (22).

Addressing the media today, SGM Chairman Ajith P. Thilakarathna said the responsibility of providing transport facilities lies with the Health Ministry, but as health service professionals, we were unable to get any transport facility.

"In order to maintain health service, transport facilities for health service professionals considered mandatory," he said.

"The private transport sector has ground to a halt due to fuel crisis. Even though the petrol price was higher, our officers had to get it at any cost and report to work. We are ready to bear the cost, but there should be a proper mechanism to get fuel," he said.

Thilakarathna said that they have informed all health service professionals to wait in queues for fuel even during duty hours, considering it as a trade union action against the Ministry. 

"Operations in other state bodies are limited to four working days, but the health sector has to work seven days and 24-hours a day. That means the government is accepting the health service as an essential service. Therefore, the Ministry should draw a proper plan to provide transport facilities for the health service professionals, "Thilakarathna added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)