Colombo, March 26 (IANS) Hundreds of nurses across Sri Lanka launched a two-day strike on Tuesday urging the government to address their issues.

The protest, which was led by the Public Service United Nurses' Union, led to health services coming to a standstill, with thousands of patients left inconvenienced, reports Xinhua news agency.

The nurses urged the Health Ministry to address several issues including salaries.

The Union said the strike had not affected services in the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital and the De Soysa Maternity Hospital in capital Colombo.

--IANS ksk/mr