PHI strike enters 05th day as talks to solve issue fail once more

Colombo (News 1st); Discussions to solve the issues faced by Public Health Inspectors, who are currently not taking part in any COVID-19 prevention activity, failed once again on Monday (20).

Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union Chief Upul Rohana said the gazette issued by the Health Minister is like a bus without an engine, adding there is no use of issuing a gazette to control the spread of COVID-19 if there is no enforcement officer.

He said the PHIs were not vested with the required powers in the said gazette, as their duties are an obstruction for election candidates to engage in campaigning and canvassing with no regard to the threat posed by COVID-19.

He further said, 04 politicians had attended the funeral in Rajanganaya and only one of them has moved to quarantine while the other three are openly engaged in election campaigns.