PHIs on warpath across country over transfer of their officer for exposing irregularities

The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association has suspended their airport quarantine duties across the nation, including dengue inspections, in response to the transfer of a senior Public Health Inspector at the Bandaranaike International Airport Health Office. This move comes after the association alleged serious administrative irregularities and corruption involving public funds at the Katunayake airport health office.

Senior Public Health Inspector B. H. Weerasekera was reportedly transferred without proper investigation following complaints raised by the inspector about these irregularities. The union's General Secretary, Chamil Muthukuda, stated that the decision to suspend duties was made by the association's executive committee and that a countrywide strike was planned for today.

All Public Health Inspectors have ceased their airport quarantine-related duties, pending a proper investigation of the claims made by the association. The union has warned that they will submit evidence of the alleged irregularities to relevant authorities, potentially leading to legal action. The union plans to assess further industrial action based on the response from the Health Ministry.