By Reka Tharangani   

State Medical Officers’ Collective Dr. Rukshan Bellana said his trade union (TU) would not support any politically motivated trade union actions that would further burden the people who were already facing hardship.   
He told the media that only the ordinary people sought treatment at the government hospitals and not the politicians. He said the politicians obtained treatment at Mount Elizabeth hospitals.   

He pointed out that his union would not create further hardship to the people who were in a predicament due to the shortage of essential consumer goods, power cuts, gas and fuel price hikes.   

Dr. Bellana said it was sad that the trade unions supported the politically motivated campaigns at the risk of patients.   

“Trade union leaders who agitate to remove the entire 225 members and claim to be politically neutral are politically affiliated. Although attempting to persuade the people they have a new thinking they have resorted to the same old methods to further aggravate suffering of the people. Although they claim to have the support of 1,000 trade unions it is in question whether 1,000 trade unions have been registered in Sri Lanka,” he said.   

He further said the responsibility of the trade unions at this crucial juncture was to extend their cooperation to resolve the prevailing crisis and to build the country. 

• Although they claim to have the support of 1,000 trade unions it is in  question whether 1,000 trade unions have been registered in SL