Development Officers Announce Islandwide Strike from November 9

The State and Provincial Public Service Development Officers' Trade Union Alliance has announced plans to launch an islandwide strike from November 9, demanding solutions to several longstanding issues affecting development officers.

The announcement was made at a media briefing attended by representatives of the alliance.

Wasantha Lankathilaka, Secretary of the alliance, criticised the government for failing to address the concerns of public sector employees, despite repeated assurances. He said the rising cost of essential goods and the increasing cost of living had placed further pressure on government workers.

He also called on the government to provide relief to public servants, warning that trade unions would take further action if their demands were ignored.

Lankathilaka said development officers were among the public servants who maintained close contact with the public, but continued to face pressure and unresolved workplace issues. He warned that the government would have to face the consequences if these concerns remained unaddressed beyond 2027.

Anuradha Senaviratne, President of the alliance, also addressed the briefing.

Chandana Suriyabandara alleged that development officers had previously been used for political meetings and campaigns, despite assurances from the President that their issues would be resolved within 24 hours.

He said the government had failed to fulfil those promises and had instead introduced a service minute for development officers without adequately addressing their concerns. He added that their current salaries were insufficient to meet living expenses.

The alliance is demanding a monthly allowance of Rs. 25,000 for development officers and other public servants, as well as the proper finalisation and implementation of a service minute for development officers.

It also called on development officers serving in both the state and provincial public services to join the planned industrial action, stating that 11 trade unions were supporting the campaign.

Udara Dimung, Colombo District Coordinator, and Anjula Lakmali, Media Secretary of the Development Officers' Association, also expressed their views at the media briefing.