The Sri Lanka Grama Niladharis Association says it has decided to walk off duty on Saturdays from today (15). The association says the decision was taken due to the government's failure to provide solutions to the industrial action initiated by its members based on several demands.
Expressing further views on this matter, the General Secretary of the association, Neville Wijeratne, said that the Grama Niladharis have decided to walk off duty on Saturdays until further notice.
Grama Niladharis have been on sick leave for the past 10 and 11 days due to several demands including not increasing the travel allowance, making a degree the minimum qualification for the post of Grama Niladhari, receiving the allowances recommended by the Gammanpila Committee, which includes the allowances of Grama Niladharis, and receiving one day's salary for work performed on Saturdays and public holidays.
He said that the Grama Niladharis decided to walk out of their duties on Saturday due to the government's failure to take any action for the two-day trade union action and the failure to provide a positive solution to their demands.
Speaking further, the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Grama Niladharis Association, Neville Wijeratne, said:
"We have decided as an association and we have also invited other associations to walk out of their Saturday office days from today. Accordingly, we will remove that office day, which we do by sacrificing our holidays without receiving any additional allowance. Also, we will not do field duties on that day. Accordingly, we will boycott the Saturday office day. Accordingly, the Grama Niladharis will remain in the division offices only on Tuesdays and Thursdays until further notice."