People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse and Bank of Ceylon Chairman Ronald C. Perera emphasised that their respective banks are ready to serve their customers today (1), at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (28 February) regarding matters in the banking industry, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
In a press release, the PMD noted that both Chairmen said that it is the responsibility of all public servants to support the Government’s programme to build the country’s economy and expressed confidence that the bank employees would do the same.
Perera added that the banking system’s support is required for the Government’s economic development programme, and urged all bank employees not to neglect their responsibilities to the country.
“This country is now in a very difficult economic situation. In this situation, several trade unions have announced a strike tomorrow. As Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon, I request our employees to report to work tomorrow because the Bank of Ceylon provides an excellent service to its customers. If the bank is closed for even one day, the entire country will suffer greatly.
“Furthermore, trade unions demand that the Government should make decisions on tax collection and tax rate reductions. As a result, we have discussed this matter with the Government. These issues, we believe, will be resolved in the near future. I strongly urge the employees to report for duty on behalf of the bank and its customers,” he said.
Rajapakse stated that steps have been taken and are currently being discussed to address issues with current tax collection and that it is everyone’s responsibility to help improve the country’s future by cooperating with understanding at this time when the entire country is experiencing economic difficulties.
“Several trade unions have organised a strike for tomorrow. As Chairman of the People’s Bank, I request that you report to work as People’s Bank employees. People’s Bank makes a significant contribution to the economy of this country. We serve a large number of people and customers as well as economic operators. As a result, we ask that you report to duty as usual and complete the necessary tasks to keep the service running. At this time, we ask that you refrain from acting in a way that will harm the Government, country, or economy,” he said.
The discussion was attended by the Heads of State banks and trade union representatives as well as Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of the President’s Staff Sagala Ratnayaka and President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake. There was extensive discussion about how to keep the banking operations running so that Government programmes are not disrupted and customers are not inconvenienced, the release added.
Ratnayaka pointed out that it is not suitable for the country to send a message to the international community that the banking system is inactive at a time when the Government has taken extensive measures to create financial stability in the country.
Although it is a common tradition to issue circulars containing arrangements such as handing over the keys on the day of the strike, handing over the keys to safes containing gold, etc., when bank employees take union action, this has, reportedly, not occurred in relation to the joint bank union action scheduled to take place today. This was revealed during the discussion.
President’s Economic Senior Advisor Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga and Director General of Trade Unions Saman Rathnapriya were also present at the discussion.