Silent protest over allowance cut

Employees of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) staged a silent protest today (23) during their lunch break in front of the Authority’s head office in Katunayake, demanding the reinstatement of a Rs. 10,000 cost of living allowance that has been withheld since January 2024.

The allowance was part of a Rs. 25,000 monthly payment granted to CAASL staff in 2022 during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, from January this year, the amount was reduced by Rs. 10,000, with only Rs. 15,000 being paid.

Following discussions with the Deputy Minister, the full allowance was reportedly restored in June. 

However, according to G.C. Ratnasinghe, Chairman of the CAASL Employees’ Trade Union, employees have been informed that the Rs. 10,000 will once again be deducted from the July salary, scheduled to be paid on July 24.

Mr. Ratnasinghe said that industrial action was taken in response to this decision. By T.K.G. Kapila