Customs Officers' Union to continue TU action; 4,000 containers held up at port

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Customs Officers' Union said that their trade union action will continue on Tuesday (19).

Amila Sanjeeva, the union president, cited the lack of satisfactory solutions from the authorities as the reason for the ongoing action.

Last Friday, multiple customs unions collectively decided to withdraw from overtime services, initiating a union action.

Their objection centers around the Ministry of Finance's takeover of an account previously under the purview of the Director General of Customs.

The Association of Customs Officers, the Association of Superintendents of Customs, and the Association of Customs Staff Officers are actively participating in this action.

Meanwhile, the Transport Owners Association said that around 4,000 imported containers are currently held up at the port.

Sanath Manjula, chairman of the association, said that container transport activities have completely halted.

He warned that even if the strike ends, it could take three or four weeks to clear the backlog of containers.

Sri Lanka Customs Spokesperson Seevali Arukgoda told News 1st that container clearance has been hampered due to the trade union action.

He added that only the clearance of essential goods will proceed as usual.

Meanwhile, a senior official from the Ministry of Finance told News 1st that 15 government agencies have agreed to the new economic reforms.

However, the senior official noted that Sri Lanka Customs remains the only holdout regarding the economic reforms.