Development Officers to Launch Islandwide Token Strike on November 9 Following Unsuccessful Talks

Development officers have announced plans to launch an islandwide token strike on November 9, stating that discussions held with the Ministry of Public Administration today failed to produce a satisfactory outcome.

The meeting focused on the planned trade union action and the demands put forward by development officers. However, union representatives said no meaningful progress had been achieved.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dhammika Munasinghe, Co-Secretary of the Government and Provincial Public Service Development Officers’ Association, confirmed that the planned strike would go ahead.

He said the association was demanding a special salary scale for the Development Officers’ Service, the establishment of a special super-grade category and proper promotional opportunities for officers.

Munasinghe alleged that the Minister had not provided the association with an opportunity for meaningful discussions. He also challenged a statement reportedly made by the Minister in Parliament the previous day, claiming that discussions had already been held and that the unions should request further meetings.

He urged the Minister not to make what he described as inaccurate statements in Parliament.

Munasinghe said the union would not call off the strike until the Minister and Ministry Secretary provided a clear response with specific timelines for addressing their demands.

He warned that if the authorities failed to respond, the union was preparing further trade union action beyond the November 9 token strike.

The association is also demanding an interim allowance of Rs.25,000 for all public sector employees.

Munasinghe said development officers were struggling with the rising cost of living, including increased food expenses and proposed electricity tariff increases. He added that the union was prepared to launch a separate campaign over salary concerns.