Failure to scrutinize 28 Lankans prompts probe

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has ordered health authorities to conduct a full and immediate investigation in connection with releasing a group of 28 Sri Lankans from the Bandaranaike International Airport without following the relevant health procedures and recording their details, Health Ministry sources said.

According to the sources, a group of 28 Sri Lankans had been brought to Sri Lanka from Togo, Africa by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and released without following the relevant health procedures and recording their details. Some of theses returnees had been suffering from yellow fever.

Yellow fever is a serious illness that is transmitted by the dengue mosquito. Yellow fever can be spread by dengue mosquitoes who sting patients.

The health authorities have already instructed all MOHs to keep a close eye on the group of Sri Lankans who returned from Togo.

MOH officers will take action to track them down and conduct a full health examination on them to find out their health status. Investigations are to be held on the relevant officials who let them exit the airport without conducting the relevant health check- up and informing relevant health authorities about their health status,sources said.

The Sri Lankans were repatriated after they tried to migrate to Canada illegally through human traffickers.

Togolese officials nabbed 200 Sri Lankans who are still in prison in Togo.

There were three females and 25 males among the group of 28 who returned to Sri Lanka, sources added.