EC and PHIs demand gazette for more powers Issuing gazette Health Ministry duty: DGHS By Maheesha Mudugamuwa The Health Ministry is yet to gazette the Covid-19-related health guidelines issued for the parliamentary election under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act in order to enable the authorities concerned to take the necessary legal action against those who violate the guidelines, The Morning learnt. Speaking to The Morning, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said the decision with regards to issuing the gazette should be taken by the Health Minister. He confirmed that the gazette had not yet been issued, even though the authorities said, twice this week, that the gazette would be issued. The Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and the members of the Election Commission (EC) had informed the Government and the Health Ministry of the necessity to gazette those guidelines under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act to ensure these are strictly followed by the public, and also especially by political parties, politicians, and their supporters when campaigning for the election. When contacted, EC Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said the EC had already requested the Government to gazette the health guidelines issued by the health authorities pertaining to the election. Meanwhile, the EC members also questioned the Government on what action the authorities could take if political parties or their supporters did not adhere to the health guidelines. The Commission had already made a formal request to the Government asking that the Covid-19-related health guidelines issued for the upcoming parliamentary election be gazetted. All attempts to contact Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi were futile.