The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Union has warned the public to be vigilant against individuals posing as public health inspectors and demanding money across several parts of the island.

In a statement, the Union said numerous incidents have been reported where institutions and private homes were deceived, with false collections of money carried out under the guise of official duties.

It noted that these demands were linked to house inspections during the ongoing dengue epidemic, with impostors exploiting the situation to solicit payments.

The Union stressed that under no circumstance do public health inspectors charge or collect money in relation to their duties.

Accordingly, the public has been advised not to hand over money to anyone claiming to be a public health inspector. 

The Union further urged that if such demands are made, the matter should be immediately reported to the Police and relevant authorities. (Newswire)

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Police have received complaints against a group allegedly impersonating Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and demanding money from shop owners to avoid legal action.

Investigations reveal that the suspects, dressed in uniforms resembling those of PHIs, visited shops in Anuradhapura, Eppawala, Thalawa, and Thambuttegama, pointing out supposed shortcomings before soliciting payments.

CCTV footage has shown that the uniforms used were similar to those issued to staff of hospital malaria control units, enabling the group to carry out the deception.

Authorities say the group has repeatedly engaged in this fraudulent activity, targeting businesses across several districts. Police are continuing investigations to identify and apprehend those involved. (Newswire)

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The Director General of Health Services, Specialist Dr. Asela Gunawardena, has instructed that all dansal organized across Sri Lanka for the upcoming Vesak festival must be registered with the office of the Medical Officer of Health in the relevant area.

The directive aims to ensure that the public is provided with safe, clean, and quality food during the festival. 

Organizers are advised to meet their area’s Medical Officer of Health or Public Health Inspector to obtain necessary health guidance and complete the required registration.

Health authorities stressed that the measure is part of broader efforts to safeguard public health during large‑scale community events, ensuring food safety standards are maintained. (Newswire)

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Legal action has been taken against more than 400 traders across Sri Lanka following nationwide raids carried out during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union announced.

Union General Secretary Chamil Muthukuda said nearly 2,000 raids were conducted between 1 and 12 April, during which over 12,000 shops were inspected.

He further stated that traders were charged for offences such as selling food in unhygienic conditions and distributing expired products.

Muthukuda further noted that similar inspections are scheduled to take place during the upcoming Vesak and Poson festivals, as part of continued efforts to safeguard public health. (Newswire/ Image- Divaina)

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Public Health Inspectors have launched an islandwide operation to ensure food safety during the festive season, with legal action already filed against 817 outlets.

The program, which began on April 1, has seen 967 raids conducted across the country, according to the Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka.

A total of 11,064 food establishments have been inspected so far, with 3,045 food items taken into custody. Authorities have also destroyed 2,299 items deemed unfit for consumption.

The island-wide operation involves 2,300 Public Health Inspectors and is ongoing, said union president K.A.P. Boralessa. (Newswire)

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Public Health Inspectors (PHI) have taken action against persons chewing and spitting betel leaves in Kurunegala. 

Accordingly, the PHI arrested 07 persons at the Kurunegala bus depot last week (26).

The arrested persons will be produced in court on Friday, 01 August 2025. (Newswire)

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The Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) has announced that all dansals organized for this year’s Vesak festival must be registered by 09 May.

Accordingly, organizers of all dansals are required to register with their nearest Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office. 

The PHIU further stated that additional information can be obtained from the nearest Public Health Inspector offices.

During the Vesak season, around 3,000 Public Health Inspectors will be deployed across the country to inspect dansals, food stalls, hotels, and mobile food vendors, the PHIU added. (Newswire)

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A Public Health Inspector (PHI) has been arrested for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000.

According to the Bribery Commission, the PHI officer was arrested for soliciting a bribe to renew the licence of a hotel in Dambulla.

Officials from the Bribery Commission arrested the PHI officer in Galewala yesterday (Feb 14).

He is a Public Health Inspector attached to the Galewala Office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH).

The PHI officer was arrested based on a complaint filed by a resident of Ibbagamuwa who owns the hotel in question with his close associates. 

Upon inspection of the hotel, the PHI officer is alleged to have solicited a bribe to give the letter with the recommendation related to the renewal of the hotel licence to the local authorities. (Newswire)

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The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHI) says it has commenced conducting raids to inspect food and drinks sold around in cities where the public gathers more in view of the festive season.

PHI President Upul Rohana said that around 1750 PHI officers have been deployed to conduct the inspections. 

He further said that raw materials used to produce food targeting the festival season will be tested during the inspections. 

Upul Rohana added that from 01 December to date, over 150 raids have been conducted across the country. (Newswire)

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The gunman involved in the murder of the Karandeniya Public Health Inspector (PHI) in Elpitiya in February this year has been arrested. 

According to the Police, the suspect was found to have two firearms in his possession at the time of his arrest in Mount Lavinia. 

The man was wanted for killing 51-year-old Karandeniya PHI Deepal Roshan Kumara on 26 February.

At the time, investigations revealed that the PHI officer was shot dead at his residence in Pathiraja Mawatha, Elpitiya by a gunman who had come on a motorcycle. (Newswire)

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A 51-year-old Public Health Inspector (PHI) is reported dead after being shot dead at his residence at Pathiraja Mawatha in Elpitiya.

According to the Police, two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle carried out the shooting around 07.00 am today and have fled the area.

The deceased has been identified as a PHI officer in charge of the Karandeniya area. (NewsWire)

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Several protests are to be launched today by personnel from multiple state sectors and provincial public services, it was reported.

The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHI) will launch a two-day strike from today over several demands.

Trade unions from the provincial public service will also carry out a nationwide protest campaign from today. 

From the provincial public service sector, Development Officers, Management Officers, Grama Niladhari Officers, Samurdhi Officers, Office Services and other employees of the sector will engage in the protest.

The protest campaign will be held demanding either a Rs. 20,000 allowance or a pay raise through the 2024 Budget. (NewsWire)

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