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Saturday, 19 May 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Following a written commitment from the Government to adhere to three demands, the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) yesterday called off its work-to-rule union action at all the airports and ports of the country.
“The Minister gave us a written commitment after having discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena. They have decided to submit a Cabinet paper on 22 May including the three demands of the Immigration and Emigration Officers,” SLIEOA President Aruna Kanugala told the Daily FT.
Having failed to find solutions to improve the immigration services for over 20 years, SLIEOA commenced the union action on Thursday (17 May) after continuous lobbying from 30 December 2017 failed, officials said.
The three demands of the association were to establish and make effective the service minute of Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Service, attach immigration officers to foreign missions and to re-establish the Departmental Prosecution Unit.
According to him, Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Minister S. B. Navinna had met the Immigration and Emigration Officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) en-route to work and had verbally promised to do his best to provide solutions after talking to the higher authorities.
“The Minister met us in the morning around 9.00 a.m. and verbally promised to give an acceptable solution for our demands. The Minister and the authorities were in discussion without any representation from the SLIEOA,” he added.
The country’s main airport, BIA, had to deal with many teething troubles due to the work-to-rule strike action as overcrowding and long queues at 14 immigration counters resulted in delays.
Kanugala apologised to the flight operators and passengers for the inconvenience caused at all airports and ports of the country. (CdS)
