The Customs Officers’ Union has commenced a two-day strike, citing frustration over the lack of a satisfactory response to their demands from authorities.
Union members are reporting 'sick leave' today (3) and tomorrow (4) in protest.
Tharaka Kumarasinghe, a member of the union’s executive committee, stated that the strike is in response to the authorities’ arbitrary decision to introduce the Sri Lanka Revenue Authority (SLRA) Bill and make amendments to various sections of the Customs Ordinance.
Kumarasinghe noted that customs officials have already been engaging in a “work-to-rule” trade union action for the past two days, as previous discussions with authorities failed to yield necessary solutions.
"Due to the lack of necessary responses to our demands, the Customs Officers’ Union has decided to engage in trade union action by reporting ‘sick’ for two days," Kumarasinghe explained.
However, Minister Bandula Gunawardena has condemned the strike, asserting that engaging in such actions at this moment is unacceptable under any circumstances.
