The State Veterinary Surgeons' Association has decided to launch a 'sick leave' campaign on November 17. The association cites a shortage of veterinary officers in the public service, a lack of office facilities and inadequate allowances, and says a request for an additional duty allowance did not receive a satisfactory response in the 2027 Budget.
Association President Upul Ranjith Kumara said about 600 of the 931 veterinary officers the public service should have are currently serving. He said officers often use personal vehicles or hire three-wheelers for field work because official vehicles are insufficient, and that small- and medium-scale farmers supply 90% to 95% of the country's protein requirement with support from these officers.
The association said its Executive Committee has decided to withdraw from development programmes planned for 2027 if the government does not respond to its demands, and to suspend the submission of reports to higher authorities from November.
Source
Ada Derana
Summary written by Colombo Today from reporting by Ada Derana.
- #veterinary officers
- #sick leave campaign
- #public service
- #animal production and health
- #2027 budget
