COLOMBO (News 1^st) – Specialist doctors have decided to refrain from carrying out any medical services at private hospitals, from next week. The Association of Medical Specialists claim, that unnecessary taxes have been imposed on Specialist doctors through the new Inland Revenue Act.

Quoting the Chairman of the Association, the Sunday Times today reported that medical specialists are threatening to withdraw for two weeks from private practice from June 18th onwards, if their requests for a reasonable tax structure are not heeded.

According to the Chairman of the Association of Medical Specialists, Dr Sunil Wijesinghe, as specialist doctors in the country, they are not against taxes being obtained in a just manner. He added that they have no objection if the tax money is being used for the benefit of the general public of this country. Ironically he had noted that specialist doctors are facing certain issues as a result of the new tax policies specially with regard to a 15% VAT imposed on their private practice.

Dr Sunil Wijesinghe said services at Government Hospitals will not be affected by this, as this is not a trade union action.

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