Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera has promised former Director General of Customs S.M. Charles that she would be appointed to a senior post in the Finance Ministry. 

Charles' sudden removal sparked a trade union action in the Customs Department. Custom officers demanding the reinstatement of Charles have still not called off their work to rule campaign. 

Following Charles' removal, Samaraweera appointed retired Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando as the head of the Customs Department. The trade unions vehemently protested Samaraweera's move to appoint a former military officer as the Director General of Customs outside the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. 

In the face of their opposition, Samaraweera took a step back by appointing G. Sumanasinghe as the Acting Director General of Customs. The trade unions, however, were not willing to accept Sumanasinghe's appointment and stressed that Charles were removed due to the influence of "notorious smugglers" who allegedly maintained strong ties with the Finance Minister's staff. 

Samaraweera had reportedly held a meeting with Charles on Sunday. Charles, who is known to be a competent and forthright state official, is currently in the pool at the Finance Ministry without a proper assignment.