Colombo, Jan 09 - Professionals from the Supplementary Medical Services sector initiated a token strike today at 8:00 a.m., expressing their discontent with the government's refusal to grant them the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance of Rs. 35,000.

The trade union action unfolded across all government hospitals, drawing attention to the concerns of supplementary medical professionals who feel overlooked in the government's recent decision-making. 

Ravi Kumudesh, the president of the Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary Medicine, voiced strong opposition to the Cabinet's choice to abstain from increasing the DAT allowance for health professionals.

This upheaval comes in the wake of the Cabinet's approval, on Monday (Jan. 08), of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to double the DAT allowance for government doctors, elevating it from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000. 

The decision has sparked discontent among supplementary medical professionals, leading to the current token strike as they demand fair treatment and recognition.