The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union of Sri Lanka is considering island-wide strike action over the transfer of an officer who had given evidence to the Health Ministry about alleged corruption at the Airport Health Office.
Acting President of the union Upul Rohana said its Executive Committee was due to meet on Wednesday afternoon to take a final decision, including on whether to begin a strike from Thursday.
The transfer at the centre of the dispute
According to the union, the Public Health Inspector concerned had provided a statement to the Health Ministry’s Investigation Unit concerning alleged fraud and corruption at the Airport Health Office. He was subsequently transferred.
The union says the transfer was carried out in violation of established administrative procedures. Rohana said further discussions on the issue would take place at Wednesday’s meeting.
Ada Derana did not name the transferred officer, and did not report a response from the Health Ministry or give details of the allegations under investigation at the Airport Health Office.
Context
Public Health Inspectors carry out frontline disease surveillance, food safety inspection and vector control work, including the dengue control programme. Their absence from duty is felt quickly at district level, which has historically given the union considerable leverage in disputes with the Health Ministry.
Airport Health Office staff handle health screening and quarantine clearance for arriving passengers, a function that sits alongside Customs and Immigration at Bandaranaike International Airport.
No strike had been declared at the time of reporting, and the union’s decision rests on the outcome of the Executive Committee meeting.
