• Transferred officials blamed for incompetent work culture and delays

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

The indefinite work-to-rule action adopted by the trade unions of Sri Lanka Customs was abandoned yesterday morning after the questionable two senior officials responsible for the incompetent management practices were transferred to the Finance Ministry with immediate effect. 

The Customs Trade Union Alliance warned of an indefinite work-to-rule action on Thursday morning over a host of unsettled issues including the stagnated promotion scheme for four years, recruiting mere degree-holding development officers without sitting for the mandatory competitive exam, etc.

The unions also found fault with an Additional Director General and Director of Customs who were in charge of the human resources management division for the slow and lethargic work style.

A spokesperson from the Customs Trade Union Alliance told the Daily Mirror that their written submission about these issues sent to the Ministry of Finance had been taken into quick consideration by the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

The State Minister had reportedly pledged through the Director General of Customs that all the highlighted issues would be addressed in due course and as starters the two questionable officers had been transferred to the Ministry of Finance with immediate effect.

The TU spokesperson said there are a number of senior Customs officials whose promotions approved by the Public Service Commission in 2020 had not been granted to date even after four years, owing to the incompetent work culture of the transferred officials.