According to the Municipal Public Health Inspector’s Office, inspections carried out across multiple food establishments revealed numerous breaches of public health regulations. Allegations include preparing food without valid registration certificates and without mandatory medical fitness reports for food handlers.
Inspectors also found food being prepared in buildings lacking proper sanitary protection, while wastewater was reportedly discharged directly into the main drainage system in violation of health guidelines.
Further violations included improper food storage practices, maintaining refrigerators used for food storage in unhygienic conditions, and the presence of disease-carrying pests such as flies, cockroaches and rats within kitchen environments. Authorities also cited the use of unclean and damaged food preparation equipment.
Legal cases have been filed against several institutions and individuals over these offences, with officials noting that many of the establishments have since improved their standards following enforcement action.
Public Health Inspector for the Mannar Municipal Council area stated that 203 cases were filed during 2025 alone, resulting in fines amounting to approximately Rs. 3.4 million being collected by the Council.
Enforcement efforts have continued into 2026, with more than 40 cases already instituted. Notably, three cases were filed against a hospital canteen, where offenders were found guilty, while notices have also been issued concerning the hospital kitchen.
Health authorities emphasised that enforcement alone is not sufficient and called for greater public awareness to improve national food safety standards. Proposals include issuing a government gazette making NVQ qualifications mandatory for food sector workers and introducing compulsory food safety education in schools.
The 2026 food safety drive is being jointly led by Public Health Inspector R.M., Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sandun Ratnayake and Mayor Daniel Wasandan, alongside health officials including V.R.C. Lambert.
Authorities say their goal is to ensure that, by the beginning of 2027, operational approval will be granted only to food service establishments that maintain proper premises registration and health compliance.
Officials stressed that the objective of the campaign is not to target business owners but to guarantee the public access to safe and hygienic food.
