The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union has decided to suspend all dengue control duties across the country from yesterday (20), in protest against the transfer of a senior health official at the Bandaranaike International Airport Health Office in Katunayake.

Union General Secretary Chamil Muthukuda said the decision was taken by the Association’s Executive Committee at a meeting held on Wednesday night (19).

The Union is protesting what it described as the arbitrary transfer of the senior-most Medical Officer of Health at the Airport Health Office.

Muthukuda said the Union had also decided to conduct an island-wide token strike today (21) in protest against the transfer.

He said further decisions on the continuation of the trade union action would be taken based on the response of the authorities.

The action follows the transfer of a PHI who had provided a statement to the Health Ministry’s Investigation Unit regarding alleged fraud and corruption at the Airport Health Office.

The Union claims that the transfer was carried out in violation of established administrative procedures.