Wildlife Dept officers launch trade union action over civil security absorption

All trade union members of the Department of Wildlife Conservation today (13) reported sick leave and commenced trade union action opposing the government’s move to absorb Civil Security Department officers into the Wildlife Department. The protest will lead to a massive demonstration staged outside the Wildlife Department headquarters in Battaramulla. Speaking to the media, President of the All‑Ceylon Wildlife Officers’ Association, Indika Peiris charged that the Director General of the Wildlife Department was acting arbitrarily and attempting to carry out recruitments in a manner that was unjust to existing officers. “We are not against the recruitments themselves, but the process is flawed. We requested discussions, yet the Director General ignored us and is proceeding in the wrong way. This harms not only field assistants and secondary‑level officers, but also rangers, site assistants, and guards across the department,” Peiris said. He added that despite repeated requests for talks before July 13, no discussions were granted, forcing officers to resort to sick leave and protest action. It is reported that in response to the claims, Wildlife Director General Ranjan Marasinghe said that discussions had already been provided regarding employee concerns. He further noted that the Ministry of Environment has appointed a committee to decide on the absorption of Civil Security Department officers, with future steps to be determined by its recommendations. (Newswire)