The Society of Government Pharmacists has announced a one-day trade union action from 8.00 a.m. on Monday (August 31) over unresolved issues concerning their additional service allowances.
Association President Ajith P. Thilakarathna said the decision follows a dispute over a circular issued by the Health Secretary on August 29, 2026, which renamed pharmacists’ overtime allowances as “additional service allowances.”
According to Thilakarathna, the circular was subsequently cancelled without an acceptable explanation, allegedly following pressure from the medical services sector.
He said authorities have yet to provide a satisfactory solution to the issue.
The association is therefore calling for the immediate reinstatement of the cancelled circular, with the planned trade union action intended to pressure authorities to address the matter.
However, the association said several healthcare institutions will be exempted from the strike on humanitarian grounds.
These include maternity and children’s hospitals, cancer hospitals and mental health institutions.
A special arrangement has also been made to ensure the continuation of emergency and essential services at other hospitals during the trade union action.
According to the association, heads of hospitals and other institutions can maintain these services by contacting the chief pharmacists at their respective facilities.
Thilakarathna said the relevant authorities and parties have been informed of the planned action and requested that necessary measures be taken to minimise inconvenience to the public.
The association said the trade union action will proceed unless its concerns regarding the additional service allowances are addressed.
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