Work-to-rule campaign by Air Traffic Controllers’ Association suspended

By Kumarasiri Prasad

The Air Traffic Controllers’ Association of Sri Lanka (SLATCA) yesterday suspended its work-to-rule campaign following discussions with the Minister and Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. officials. 

According to SLATCA, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva promised to resolve the matter within a week. An interim committee appointed by the minister will be tasked with preparing a full report on the situation based on which he will formulate a solution, SLATCA Vice President Tharindu Gajadeera told Daily FT. 

Prior to discussions held last evening, employees of several other service departments operating in Katunayake, Mattala and Ratmalana airports also decided to support the work-to-rule campaign launched by SLATCA.

Engineers in the Civil, Mechanical and Electrical departments of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. had informed the Chairman of the decision in writing, an airport employee told Daily FT. 

The work-to-rule campaign was launched on Monday, objecting to a special allowance granted to 17 Air Traffic Safety Electronics Engineering Officers by the Airport & Aviation Services Ltd. Vice Chairman. 

SLATCA claimed that the allowance granted to Traffic Safety Electronics Engineering Officers was arbitrary when the issue of salary anomalies had already been referred to SLIDA for investigation.