The Customs Officers' Union affirmed their persistence in the ongoing trade union action, slated to continue on Tuesday (19), citing the lack of satisfactory resolutions from the authorities. Amila Sanjeeva, the union president, pointed to the Ministry of Finance's recent control acquisition over an account previously under the Director General of Customs as the primary grievance prompting the action.
Last Friday, multiple customs unions collectively withdrew from overtime services, initiating the ongoing action. Participating unions include the Association of Customs Officers, the Association of Superintendents of Customs, and the Association of Customs Staff Officers.
In parallel, the Transport Owners Association disclosed that approximately 4,000 imported containers remain stranded at the port.
Sanath Manjula, chairman of the association, expressed concerns over the complete halt in container transport activities and warned of potential delays even after the strike's conclusion, estimating a clearance backlog of three to four weeks.
Sri Lanka Customs Spokesperson, Seevali Arukgoda, acknowledged that container clearance has been significantly impeded due to the trade union action, with only essential goods being processed as usual. Despite this, a senior official from the Ministry of Finance revealed that 15 government agencies have agreed to the new economic reforms, with Sri Lanka Customs remaining the lone dissenting entity. The standoff persists, exacerbating delays and uncertainties in the country's import-export operations.
Sri Lanka Customs Spokesperson, Seevali Arukgoda, acknowledged that container clearance has been significantly impeded due to the trade union action, with only essential goods being processed as usual. Despite this, a senior official from the Ministry of Finance revealed that 15 government agencies have agreed to the new economic reforms, with Sri Lanka Customs remaining the lone dissenting entity. The standoff persists, exacerbating delays and uncertainties in the country's import-export operations.
