The Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Union has announced an indefinite withdrawal from Saturday duties, escalating industrial action after the government failed to respond to their previous strike in August.
The Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Union has declared that its members will cease working on Saturdays effective immediately, marking an escalation in their dispute with the government. According to Union General Secretary Neville Wijeratne, the decision follows the government's failure to address grievances raised during a two-day strike conducted on August 10 and 11.
The officers are demanding several improvements to their employment conditions. These include increased travel allowances, making a university degree the minimum qualification for recruitment, implementation of allowances previously recommended by the Gammanpila Committee and approved by Cabinet, and compensation equivalent to one day's salary for work performed on government holidays, including Saturdays. Wijeratne noted that officers have historically performed Saturday duties without receiving additional remuneration, sacrificing their day off.
Under the new arrangement, Grama Niladhari Officers will maintain presence at their respective domain offices only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with all other Saturday activities suspended. The union has also called on other civil service associations to join the withdrawal from Saturday duties in solidarity.
The industrial action represents the union's response to what it characterizes as government inaction following their earlier strike. No official government response to the union's demands has been reported at this time.
