The Public Health Inspector’s Union (PHI) of Sri Lanka has decided to launch an island-wide trade union action from 8.00 a.m. tomorrow (24).

The trade union action is being planned to express its opposition to the transfer of a Public Health Inspector attached to the health office at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The union said the action is being taken over the transfer of Public Health Inspector B.H. Meegasdeniya, who it claims was transferred after opposing alleged irregular activities at the airport health office.

According to the association, authorities had previously been informed of the issue, but the Ministry of Health has so far failed to provide a solution.

Data and Reporting to Be Suspended

Under the planned trade union action, all Public Health Inspectors will suspend the submission of all forms of data and reports to the administration.

They will also suspend updating all data systems from tomorrow.

The association has further warned that any data not submitted or updated during the period of the trade union action will not be entered into the relevant data systems at a later date.

Union Demands Transfer Cancellation

The Public Health Inspectors’ Association has called for the immediate cancellation of what it describes as the arbitrary transfer of B.H. Meegasdeniya and demanded a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding the transfer.

The union has also strongly criticized reported attempts to reduce the approved cadre of Public Health Inspectors at the Colombo Port Health Office and the BIA Health Office.

However, the association said it remains willing to fully cooperate with a fair investigation into the issues raised and is prepared to enter into discussions with the authorities at any time.