February 26, Colombo (LNW): Trade unions representing customs personnel have confirmed that their symbolic black armband campaign will continue today (26), signalling sustained dissatisfaction over unresolved grievances.
The Customs Trade Union Alliance stated that members will once again report for duty wearing black armbands, a form of protest that began on 24 February. The action is intended to register concern without disrupting port operations or revenue collection.
Union representatives indicated that the next course of action will hinge on the outcome of talks scheduled for later today with the Deputy Minister of Finance. The meeting is expected to address a series of demands put forward by customs staff, including issues relating to service conditions, administrative procedures and what unions describe as inequities affecting officers’ professional standing.
Geethanjana Madapatha, Vice President of the Customs Officers’ Association, confirmed that the protest remains in force and stressed that members are determined to pursue a resolution through dialogue. He noted that while the current measure is symbolic, further steps could be considered should discussions fail to produce satisfactory progress.
Observers point out that customs operations are a critical component of state revenue and trade facilitation, particularly at a time when the Government is seeking to strengthen fiscal performance. As such, both sides are under pressure to reach common ground swiftly to avoid any escalation that could disrupt import and export procedures.