PHIs' trade union action continues for second day

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Public Health Inspectors' Union of Sri Lanka is engaged in the the trade union action for the second day. The Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka on Friday (July 18) announced, it will step away from all COVID-19 control duties with effect from Friday, as a mark of protest to the recent statement made by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi; who said PHIs will not be vested with any power in order to prevent any inconvenience caused to the public. In a statement, the PHI said it is disappointed with efforts being made to highlight their service as an inconvenience to the general public. "All the discussions held with Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi failed," Mahendra Balasuriya - the Secretary of the PHI Union, said on Saturday (July 18). He said, "A request was forwarded to the Minister of Health to grant legal authorization to the PHIs to conduct the quarantine and other health measures with regard to COVID-19. However, the Minister  informed such legal authorization will not be granted." Balasuriya emphasized that the request for legal provisions was not made in order to inconvenience the general public in any form, adding it was only to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and ensure that health regulations were followed with regard to the upcoming election. "This request has been interpreted wrongly, as an inconvenience to the general public," Balasurya further said.