The Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi met with around 20 unions, including the PHI Union on March 29 to discuss the issues faced by the health workers and the measures taken to control the spread of the Coronavirus. At this meeting all the unions had unconditionally agreed to support the efforts taken by the Health Minister to control the spread of the Covid-19.

However, on April 01st, the PHI’s Association issuing a media release said that based on four issues faced by them in their duties to control the Coronavirus spread, including the lack of basic protective measures, lack of transport facilities in their line of duty, non-provision of food and other facilities and endangering them by the lack of legal provisions, they would stop their services from April 04th if the government does not grant these demands.

Public Health Inspectors' (PHIs) Union of Sri Lanka has decided to postpone the island-wide strike scheduled from tomorrow for two weeks today.

However, the Health Minister held a meeting at the Health Ministry last (02) with the PHI Association at around 8.00 pm and took measures to discuss their issues and grant them these facilities.

The Health Minister had also offered them 4000 bottles of hand sanitizer she had received as a gift. She also noted that when the Health Ministry had taken measures to grant their demands, the decision taken by the PHI Association is regrettable and public opinion regarding the PHIs could be tarnished as a result.