February 24, Colombo (LNW): The Customs Trade Union Alliance has commenced trade union action from today (24), citing a series of long-standing grievances that remain unresolved, including stalled promotions that members say have been pending for more than six years.
Union representatives stated that repeated appeals to the relevant authorities have failed to yield meaningful progress, prompting officers to take symbolic industrial action. As an initial step, Customs personnel across the island will report for duty wearing black armbands in protest, signalling their dissatisfaction while continuing essential services.
The Alliance has warned that if discussions do not produce tangible outcomes, further measures could follow, potentially disrupting certain administrative functions within the Customs Department. However, it emphasised that the present action is intended as a measured response aimed at drawing attention to their concerns rather than halting operations entirely.
A high-level meeting involving the Ministry of Finance, the Public Service Commission and other key stakeholders has been scheduled for February 26, 2026 in an effort to resolve the impasse.
Union leaders are expected to reconvene on February 27 to assess the outcome of those talks and determine whether to escalate their campaign or suspend further action. They have expressed hope that constructive dialogue will prevail, enabling a swift and equitable settlement to the dispute.