• PM informed of discussing same with IMF, claims GMOA   

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has informed the Government Medical Officers` Association (GMOA) that certain positive changes could be anticipated regarding the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.

Representatives of the GMOA including its Executive Committee members recently met with Dr. Amarasuriya.

Speaking to The Daily Morning about the outcome of the meeting, the GMOA Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that they discussed with the Premier regarding the existing tax system. "We informed her of our stance on the current tax system, particularly the PAYE tax. There, the Premier said that a positive change could be made to the PAYE tax, and that the relevant discussions are going on with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)."

He also said that they had presented their suggestions on resolving the existing issues in the health service including the brain drain of doctors, and the lack of career advancement opportunities, and postgraduate education opportunities. "There are several issues in the health sector. We presented our suggestions on how to retain doctors in the country by providing solutions to their issues including those related to salaries, promotions, and career advancement opportunities."

The country's health sector suffered a serious setback in the past few years, particularly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that emerged. The multi-faceted crisis in the health sector included significant shortages of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment, the migration of doctors and other health sector professionals seeking job opportunities abroad, and the importation of substandard pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment.