COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Grama Niladharis and disaster management officers are set to commence nationwide trade union action on Tuesday (30), withdrawing from all official duties, including dengue prevention activities, accusing the government of failing to address their long-standing grievances.
The industrial action comes as the country grapples with a sharp rise in dengue infections, with more than 53,000 cases reported so far this year and over 19,000 recorded in June alone.
Buddhika Rangana, National Organizer of Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari National Association, said officials representing all Grama Niladhari unions and Disaster Management Officers’ unions will completely withdraw from their official responsibilities as the government had failed to provide a satisfactory response to demands relating to fuel allowances and other facilities required to perform their duties.
“We have no alternative but to resort to trade union action after repeated appeals to resolve our issues went unanswered,” Rangana, told reporters on Monday (29).
He said the unions had sought adequate fuel allowances to cover official travel expenses and improvements to working conditions, but negotiations with the government had failed to produce a satisfactory outcome.
Rangana acknowledged that the strike would affect dengue prevention programs despite the rapid spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
Health authorities have identified 538 Grama Niladhari divisions and 124 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk dengue zones, where intensified vector control operations are currently underway.
According to official figures, Sri Lanka has recorded 53,159 dengue cases this year, including 19,318 infections in June alone. The Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces have reported the highest number of cases. With 31 deaths, the dengue case fatality rate currently stands at 0.06%.
Union leaders warned that the withdrawal of Grama Niladharis would disrupt key public health activities, including inspections to identify mosquito breeding sites, community awareness programs and field-level support for dengue control operations.
The unions urged the government to intervene urgently to resolve the dispute, warning that the industrial action would continue until meaningful progress is made on their demands.
–ENCL
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