AMS urges President & PM to step down

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) says that President Gotabaya Rajapaksha and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down immediately paving way to a credible, all party, interim Government to take over for a specified period, and if the authorities do not heed, the AMS has threatened to launch nationwide trade union action and mass scale peaceful protests.

In a communique, the AMS notes that Sri Lanka had experienced the worst ever recorded economic downturn in the country, however the worst is yet to come.

As a result of this, AMS points out that medical specialists are experiencing multiple challenges during the process of delivering optimum health care to our citizens, as all medical staff go that extra mile to serve our people under trying circumstances, they too have experienced the strategy of the rulers not only to " patch up “but also to “divide and rule "to divert the focus of attention, capitalising on fuel shortage.

The AMS strongly believe that distribution of fuel or any other essential commodity, when in short supply, should be done in a rational manner based on the ultimate benefit to the citizen of this country and should not lead to any division within the society.

"We are of the opinion that it is the responsibility of all citizens of the country to direct the government to find a workable solution for the present crisis before it becomes unsalvageable," the statement mentions.

Therefore, the AMS reiterates their current stand endorsed by the membership at the recently held annual general meeting that the President Gotabaya Rajapaksha and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down immediately paving way to a credible, all party, interim government to take over for a specified period to implement a common minimum effective program to take the country out of this economic and social crisis.

"If they turn a blind eye to our demand, we urge all professional groups, political parties and other masses to seriously consider the need for a nationwide trade union action and mass scale peaceful protests to see an end to the downfall of our motherland. We strongly feel that it should be the priority of all citizens at this crucial juncture to ensure a new beginning," AMS states.