Customs unions end strike, will receive proper uniform and equipment

By Skandha Gunasekara

Customs officials yesterday ended their strike action carried out in protest of the assault on Customs officers by a Kuwaiti couple, following an agreement reached with the Director General of Customs regarding several demands made by the Customs Union. 

Customs Director General P S M Charles told the Daily FT that she had held a discussion with the Customs Officers Union and reached an agreement, ending the protest.

“The Customs Department will be conducting an investigation into the incident. The investigation is to be completed within two days,” she said, adding that the Kuwaiti couple had been summoned to appear before the Customs Department at 10.00 am today for questioning. 

Customs Officers Union President Lal Weerakoon said the Union had made four demands, and that all demands were met, following discussions. 

“One of our chief demands was that Customs officials be allowed to conduct an investigation into the incident where our officers were assaulted, and what protocol was followed when the dog was initially brought into the country,” he said. “We also demanded that the couple be barred from leaving the country, and the Negombo Magistrate’s Court impounded their passports till investigations were completed.”

Lal Weerakoon said that the Negombo Magistrate’s Court had impounded the passports and ordered the Kuwaiti couple to appear before the Customs department for questioning. 

Another of their demands was that Customs officers be provided with proper uniforms and equipment. “At present the uniform worn by Customs officers is incomplete and equipment inadequate. We demanded that we be given the proper full uniform, as well as a baton and a walkie-talkie,” he said, adding that Director General Charles had agreed to provide internationally-accepted uniforms and equipment to Customs officials within a period of two months. 

Meanwhile, Customs Acting Media Spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya said that it was crucial that an investigation is carried out on how the couple was allowed to bring the dog into Sri Lanka upon arrival. “There are various procedures that must be followed when bringing a dog into a Sri Lanka. An investigation must be carried out on whether the correct procedures were followed.”