PHIs warn of service disruptions over fuel access issues

20 March 2026 12:37 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, March 20 (Daily Mirror) — Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have raised serious concerns over difficulties in obtaining fuel for official duties, warning that essential public health services could be disrupted if immediate solutions are not provided.

In a communication addressed to Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the association representing PHIs highlighted that while they appreciate the government’s introduction of the fuel QR system to manage the ongoing fuel crisis, it has created significant challenges for field officers.

According to the association, nearly 2,300 PHIs across the country are currently facing hardships due to the lack of a dedicated fuel quota for their duties. As full-time field officers, PHIs are required to travel extensively for responsibilities such as infectious disease control, inspections of commercial establishments, and school health activities.

The letter further said that PHIs are not provided with priority access to fuel and are compelled to wait in long queues, making it difficult to carry out time-sensitive duties efficiently.

The association warned that continued inaction could lead to delays and lapses in critical public health functions, including disease investigation and prevention activities.

While highlighting that the current situation does not amount to trade union action, the PHIs cautioned that any attempts to penalize officers for service shortcomings resulting from fuel shortages would leave them with no option but to resort to union action.

They urged the Health Ministry to take prompt measures to ensure uninterrupted fuel access for PHIs to maintain essential public health services across the country.

Comments - 5

sunil Friday, 20 March 2026 12:57 PM

why only the PHI's. All us are affected and cannot perform our duties and report to work.

1 14

Jude Fernando Friday, 20 March 2026 07:51 PM

They are extremely worried because they are unable to go visiting the numerous unhygienic food joints all over the country to collect their "santhosam" or kick back for looking the other side.

1 5

Wije Friday, 20 March 2026 08:18 PM

Typical Sri Lankans , don’t understand the ground situation.

1 5

kumar Saturday, 21 March 2026 06:00 AM

during covid they gave similar excuse but the dengue had a sharp reduction by as much 50% with little or no inspection. We will be better off without inspection and false tensions,

0 2

DISGUSTING TO SEE ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS WHINE NOW, WHERE THEY WERE DUMB IN THE PAST DECADES Saturday, 21 March 2026 08:17 AM

MOST PHI'S HAVE BEEN USED FOR DECADES IN GETTING THEIR PALMS OILED BY SOME CORRUPT GOVTS IN THE PAST DECADES, WHO HAVE STOOGES GOING AROUND AT THE EXPENSE OF TAX PAYERS, DO MORE OF DOING THE GROUND WORK FOR THE PARTY'S WHO GAVE THEM EMPLOYMENT. WE SAW IN THE LAST ELECTIONS HOW THE POOR MAJORITY GOT TOGETHER AND VIPED OUT SOME POLITICIANS, WHO SUCKED UP TO THEIR LEADERS OR LEADERS WHO EITHER FEATHERED THEIR NESTS AND OR THEIR STOOGES. ALSO, FAMILY POLITICS NEEDS TO BE STOP IN ORDER TO GET THE COUNTRY BACCK ON TRACK TO BECOMING PROSPEROUS. WHETHER IT BE FEATERING THEIR NESTS OR THE NESTS OF STOOGES WHO DO THE DIRTY WORK GATHERING VOTERS ALL YEARS ROUND, SO THEIR PARTY CAN COME INTO POWER. ASK THOSE WHO WHINE TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR THEIR GOD GIVEN TWO FEET, LIKE ,OST POOR HAVE TO USE LIVING IN VILLAGES AND REMOTE AREAS ON A DAILY BASIS. OUR GENERATIONS ARE DOOMED IF WE GET BACK TO CORRUPTION LIKE IN THE PAST.

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