Sri Lanka's Public Health Inspectors' Association has suspended airport quarantine duties nationwide in protest over the transfer of a senior inspector who allegedly exposed administrative irregularities and corruption at Bandaranaike International Airport's health office.
The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors' Association initiated a countrywide work suspension on Wednesday night following a decision by its executive committee. According to General Secretary Chamil Muthukuda, all Public Health Inspectors have withdrawn from airport quarantine-related duties, including dengue investigations, effective from August 20.
The union's protest centers on the transfer of Senior Public Health Inspector B. H. Weerasekera from his position at the Katunayake airport health office. The association contends that Weerasekera was transferred arbitrarily after raising concerns about serious administrative issues at the facility. In correspondence to the Ministry of Health's Secretary, the union has alleged multiple complaints regarding corruption, misuse of public funds, and administrative misconduct at the airport health office have been previously reported but remain uninvestigated.
The association demands Weerasekera's reinstatement to his former post pending a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities. The union has also indicated it will submit evidence related to the claims to relevant authorities for potential legal action. Muthukuda stated that further industrial action would depend on the Health Ministry's response to the union's concerns. A token strike action was scheduled for August 21 to demonstrate the union's resolve on the matter.
