The Sri Lanka College of Nutrition Physicians (SLCNP) has expressed serious concern over plans to remove Consultant Nutrition Physician (CNP) posts from the Ministry of Health’s Food Control Administration Unit, warning that the move could severely undermine public health safeguards.
Sources within the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) stated that the Deputy Director General of Environmental and Occupational Health (DDG/EOH) was attempting to abolish the posts, despite their prior approval. These positions are vital for ensuring “evidence-based, clinically relevant, and scientifically sound” decisions on nutrition and health-related matters.
Currently, the Food Control Administration Unit includes two administrative posts (SL1), three Consultant Nutrition Physician posts (SL3), two Community Physicians (SL3), and two Medical Officers (SL2); however, no Consultant Nutrition Physicians are presently serving in the unit.
“This situation is deeply concerning given Sri Lanka’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancers, many of which are strongly linked to food. The absence of nutrition physicians means key technical input is missing at the highest policy level,” the sources warned.
In a letter to Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the SLCNP emphasized that Consultant Nutrition Physicians are the Ministry’s technical experts in nutrition, providing essential guidance on food safety, standards, and regulations.
