Immigration and Emigration officers to boycott handling of VIP passports

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers Association (SLIEOA) stated yesterday that they would not process passports of Sri Lankan VIPs and withdraw from Silk Route facilities from midnight yesterday (05).

This action is taken in support of the hartal held today, organised by over 1,000 trade unions.

“Sri Lanka is facing a severe economic crisis. Successive governments have fulfilled the aspirations of selected individuals while ignoring the well-being of the public,” Chairman of the Association, K.A.A.S. Kanugala said.

The people of the country have risen up against the policies that have led the country to a crisis. However, the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration is not listening to the people and is taking actions that are making matters worse, Kanugala said.

“We are aware of the damage caused to tourism and the attitude of the foreign workers by the actions of the government. We condemn the fact that the so called VIPs are living in luxury, while the masses suffer. We have decided not to serve Sri Lankan VIPs and not to operate facilities such as the Silk Route until the government provides concrete solutions to the issues faced by Sri Lankans,” he said.

Kanugala said that other passengers and foreign VIPs will not be affected by the union action.