CMC warns restaurants of imposter posing as PHI

The Health Department of the Colombo Municipality Council (CMC) yesterday warned restaurants not to fall prey to an imposter who poses himself as a Public Health officer (PHI) of the CMC and request money from restaurants.

Medical Officer-in-charge of the City Food Safety and Hygiene Promotion Unit Dr. Subash Mendis said the imposter had contacted at least 50 restaurants in Colombo over the phone as an official of the Health Department.

“This individual has said that he can issue CMC licences and supply medical certificates to restaurants. He has said the licences and medical certificates he issue will be valid for three years. This person has been doing this for two weeks and some of the restaurants which had fallen prey to him had given him money as well,” Dr. Mendis said.

He said there was no individual authorized to issue certificates other than the CMC and requested restaurant owners only to reach the CMC for any queries.

“They can contact CMC Chief PHI Kandula Wickramasinghe on 011-2696564 if they have any questions or regarding the issuance of health certificates,” Dr. Mendis said.

He said both the restaurant owners who had given money to the fraudster and the CMC had complained to the police in this regard.