Public Health Inspectors in the Gampaha Disrict have withdran from duties related to the COVID19 vaccination programme citing "haphazard decision making".

The PHIs have stated that the criteria to determine groups eligible for COVID19 vaccination has been changed from time to time leaving them in a difficult position. They claim that they are not in a position to discgarge their official duties due to the chaotic situation created by the health authorities.

The COVID19 vaccination has come under severe fire from many quarters for its ad-hoc and irregular nature. There were numerous allegations in the media that those with the right connections have secured early access to the vaccine by-passing vulnerable groups.

Even State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the political authority in charge of pandemic management, has hit out at the ongoing vaccination programme.

Addressing a press briefing, Fernandopulle said a handful of officials at the Ministry of Health had "derailed" the vacicnation programme by not adhering to decisions made by higher authorities.