Protests intensify over Customs head appointment

• Finance Ministry issues new appointment
• But Customs officials reject second DG selection 
• Insist due process must be followed 
• Threaten work to rule if former DG not reinstated 
• SLFP and UPFA back Customs 
  
   

Protests over the appointment of the Customs Department head continued yesterday, despite the Finance Ministry announcing a second selection. 

Public officials and unions pledged to continue protests demanding the reappointment of P.S.M. Charles, who was removed as the Customs Director General earlier this week. Unions and Customs officials have been up in arms, insisting that due process was neglected by the Finance Ministry when it appointed an official outside the public service.

The Finance Ministry reversed their initial appointment on Thursday, and nominated Finance Ministry Additional Secretary H.G. Sumanasinghe as the acting Director General.

Trade union action was staged on Wednesday in protest of removing Customs Department Director General P.S.M. Charles and appointing retired Navy Rear Admiral Dr. Shemal Fernando.

Justifying the directive, the Finance Ministry said Charles was removed to be appointed to steer the ‘Revenue Monitoring Unit’, which the Ministry intends to set up to observe the income collected from other revenue-generating departments under the Finance Ministry. Addressing a media briefing yesterday, Customs Trade Unions pointed out that the work-to-rule action would negatively impact Customs operations, and possibly reduce the daily income of Rs.4 billion. They claimed 75% of work on Thursday was also held up due to the protest.

Although the passenger service and the export divisions of the Customs at Colombo Port and Bandaranaike International Airport carried out usual operations yesterday, the Trade Unions cautioned if no resolution is given by authorities, they would also expand their protests to a work-to-rule.

“We vehemently oppose this decision by the Finance Ministry. It is highly disappointing that politicians disregard the hard work of Government servants that are actually loyal towards their work place. We highly condemn the decision and will support the work-to-rule action,” Customs Staff Officers Union President Vipula Minuwanpitiya told journalists.

“The President had categorically opposed the appointment of the retired Navy officer. The appointment was made without considering his recommendations of the Cabinet decisions,” Superintendent of Customs Union President Uditha Jayasinghe said.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and UPFA also held media briefings regarding the matter.

“The appointment of a retired military officer as Sri Lanka Customs Director General by the Finance Ministry has raised concerns over the procedure of the Government when making appointments. Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) officials should be appointed for such positions, because they are well trained and well experienced, therefore they are aware of the procedures to follow and how the Government entities are functioning,” UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardana said at a media briefing at the Opposition Leader’s office yesterday.

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera also condemned the Finance Ministry’s action to remove a senior official such as P.S.M. Charles, and called on SLAS to support the work-to rule action by Sri Lanka Customs until the matter is resolved.

He claimed that the removal was done due to a political ulterior motive.