• Per emerging reports, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) groups launched a 24-hour nationwide strike at 08:00 (local time) on March 12.
• The strike aims to seek justice for a female doctor at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital who was allegedly sexually assaulted on March 10.
• Per March 11 reports, all staff at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital in North Central Province initiated a strike on that day.

1. The involvement of various medical unions including the reported support of the Sri Lanka Medical Association suggests widespread support for the labor action. Given the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital strike on March 11, emergency services are expected to remain operational. While the groups have not announced any demonstrations as of now, ad hoc protests are likely to occur outside prominent government buildings across the country. In Colombo, these protests are likely to target justice- or health-related government departments, such as the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Health. Security measures, including the deployment of additional police personnel, are likely to be in place to monitor such protests.
2. There remains a low-level risk of scuffles between the police and protesters, should the latter engage in disruptive behavior such as blocking major thoroughfares. However, the authorities are expected to exercise a high threshold before resorting to forcible dispersal measures, such as baton charges, to avoid negative optics given the sensitivity of the issue. Disruptions to medical services are likely due to the ongoing strike.

Those operating or residing in Sri Lanka on March 12 are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of all health union protests while allotting for disruptions to health services due to the ongoing strike.