Air traffic controllers resume work-to-rule

Air traffic controllers yesterday resumed their work-to-rule campaign as discussions with authorities failed. 

The trade union action was taken by the Air Traffic Controllers’ Association of Sri Lanka (SLATCA) over salary anomalies. The work to rule action taken by Air Traffic Controllers attached to the Katunayake, Mattala and Ratmalana airports was postponed following discussions held with Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. The Minister was to give the SLATCA an interim relief, until a permanent solution was arrived at after discussions.  

However following a discussion held yesterday with the Minister, the Board of the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd and SLIDA which is investigating the salary anomalies, SLATCA resumed trade union action claiming that it was “evident” during the meeting that an interim solution would not be available. 

“We have resumed our trade union action as the minister failed to deliver an interim solution as promised,” claimed Tharindu Gajadeera Vice President of SLATCA. The decision to resume the work to rule campaign has been informed to the Minster in writing, he said.