PHIs to resume work from today

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union has decided to call off their trade union action from 7.30 am today.  

  Union’s Secretary M. Balasooriya said the decision to call off the strike was made after their concerns were satisfactorily resolved at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.   

The PHIs agreed that in case of filing a case, they should proceed after consulting with Medical officers of Health and in case of any contradiction between the two parties, the matter could be brought to the Director General Health Services (DGHS).   

DGHS Dr. Anil Jasinghe, who participated at the meeting, said there were issues with the 1897 Quarantine Act and added steps would taken to make several changes to comply with the times.   

Meanwhile, the Attorney General pointed out last Saturday that the Draft Circular Instructions issued to the PHIs with regard to controlling COVID-19 during elections were contrary to law.   
M. Balasooriya said they agreed with legal interpretation given by the Attorney General.   

As such the powers vested with the PHIs to enter propaganda meetings, polling stations to detain and prosecute were removed and made subject to MOH directions.