• Expect incentives including vehicle permits and solutions for salary/allowance discrepancies

The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) stated that it is regrettable that the 2026 Budget does not allocate any funds or launch programmes to encourage medical officers and specialists to remain in the country.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that a large number of health professionals, including medical officers and specialists, continue to work tirelessly, particularly in rural hospitals and primary care services. He said that this group has not received any special mention in the Budget, adding that it would have been appreciated if some form of relief was provided to them.

“Incentives such as granting a vehicle permit would encourage medical officers and specialists to remain in the country and continue their services. Long-standing discrepancies in their salaries and allowances must also be addressed. If the Government fails to ensure a reasonable living wage, the trend of young medical officers and specialists migrating overseas could worsen in the coming years,” he said.

Dr. Sanjeewa also noted the current tax policy has placed an additional financial burden on medical officers and specialists: “Economic inflation and the increased tax rates on our basic salaries are pushing doctors into hardship. Many medical officers and specialists who do not engage in private practice are particularly affected. The strain on their income could eventually weaken the country’s health service.”

Moreover, he added that although the Government has been inviting medical officers and specialists who left the country or the public service to return, it has failed to demonstrate a genuine commitment to that policy through practical measures. “The Government continues to show a stepmotherly attitude towards medical professionals. We can already see a situation where the election promises made by the Government are being broken one by one. The President should pay direct attention to this matter,” he added.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, was not available for comment.