Customs officers call off trade union action

Sri Lanka Customs Officers’ Union today  decided to end its two-day ‘sick leave’ campaign over the government’s failure to heed several demands.

The trade union strike was called off after talks with State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

Following that, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said that they will move swiftly to release the vital commodities that have been reportedly delayed.

Hence, State Minister Siyambalapitiya anticipates resuming the release of goods by next Sunday.

The Sri Lanka Customs Officers’ Union called a ‘work-to-rule’ trade union action during the last two days after multiple attempts at negotiations with the authorities broke down.

But since the authorities had not yet complied with their requests, they initiated a campaign for sick leave, which was intended to take place today and tomorrow (5).

The Union claims that the movement was started in opposition to the government's arbitrary decision to draft the Sri Lanka Revenue Authority (SLRA) Bill and revise certain provisions of the Customs Ordinance.