• Await discussion on changing of service provision system

The future course of action concerning the opposition expressed by immigration and emigration officials against recent administrative decisions to change the existing system of providing services will depend on whether they receive an opportunity to discuss its concerns with the Immigration and Emigration Department administration and whether its concerns are addressed.

According to the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association’s (SLIEOA) Secretary K.P. Manawadu, the union would attempt its best to secure a meeting with the Department’s Controller General, even though it is the inability to secure such a meeting that led to a symbolic strike in the first place. Explaining to The Daily Morning that no other form of future action has been decided on for the time being, he said that other options, including future union action regarding the union’s concerns, will be considered following such a meeting.

Last week, immigration and emigration officials launched a 24-hour symbolic strike against certain recent administrative decisions which the SLIEOA said disrupts the present delivery of services.

A communiqué issued by the SLIEOA in this regard said that despite various hardships, immigration and emigration officials have managed to provide their services ensuring that service receivers are not inconvenienced, especially at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. It said however that the Department had, without a reasonable ground, decided to change the officials’ shift based system, which it said had been instrumental in ensuring efficient services amidst the said difficulties, causing serious difficulties to officials while on duty. It further alleged that officials are being subjected to unwarranted pressure.

Immigration and Emigration Department officials were unavailable for comment.