The Public Health Inspector's Union of Sri Lanka

“Prevention is better than cure.” The Public Health Inspector (PHI) is the leading field officer of preventive health in Sri Lanka. This service began in 1913 and its training was based on the curriculum of the British Royal Health Institution. Over the past century PHIs have driven smallpox eradication, communicable disease control, a safe and healthy food culture, the wellbeing of school children, reduced occupational health hazards, and wider vaccination coverage.

Our Mission

Environmental health management focusing on control of communicable & non-communicable diseases, resuscitation of health, and enforcement of health regulations.

Our Vision

A healthy nation built on a safe environment.

Our History

1913
Sanitary Branch of the Medical Department established; six Sanitary Inspectors appointed after six months training at the Colombo Medical College.
1913 onward
Recruitment of Sanitary Inspectors continued bi-annually; training curriculum modelled on the British Royal Health Institution.
1960s–1990s
Eradication of smallpox (Wasuriya), control of communicable diseases, safe food culture and school health programmes led by PHIs island-wide.
Today
1,793 Public Health Inspectors and Administrative Public Health Inspectors serve as the front-line prevention team across Sri Lanka.