Customs officers up in arms over appointment

All officers of the Customs Department,except those at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake refrained from working yesterday.

This is against the appointment of a retired Navy Officer as the new Customs Director General.

The Customs Trade Union Alliance (CTUA) in a statement said that they will continue to refrain from work until the issue is properly addressed and a solution is given.

The CTUA further stated that they do not agree with the said appointment and that refuse to work under the new DG.

They pointed out that President Maithripala Sirisena has also issued an order in writing preventing military personnel from being appointed as Heads in civil government institutions and departments.

The CTUA pointed out that political involvement in appointing the Customs Director General is detrimental in achieving the long term goals of the department. According to the CTUA, five appointments were made to the post of Customs DG from 2015 and all of them were politically driven decisions.

According to the CTUA, the Customs Director General is a position that should be held by either an officer attached to Sri Lanka Administrative Service or a special grade officer of the Sri Lanka Customs service, and any other appointment is a breach of existing law.

Cabinet approval was granted yesterday (29) for the replacement of current Customs Director General P.S.M. Charles.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post