Approximately 7,000 Grama Niladharis across the island are facing unsafe working conditions.
As a result, the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Association has decided to take several professional actions, including suspending all night duties, even in cases of natural disasters and deaths, until the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs takes immediate steps to ensure their safety, said its national organizer, Neville Wijeratne.
He added that the association has also decided to limit office hours to 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on working days.
Wijeratne pointed out that Grama Niladharis lack a proper office system or structure, with many offices located in isolated and unsafe areas with minimal facilities, leaving them in vulnerable situations.
He expressed concern over the recent assault on a female doctor at the Anuradhapura General Hospital, who was attacked in her official residence despite working under institutional safety measures.
He also recalled the 2019 murders of the Sandunpura Grama Niladhari and her mother, in the Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariat.
The national organizer stated that the union has decided to close offices in unsafe and remote areas until the safety of female Grama Niladharis is ensured.
In the meantime, office work will be conducted from safer locations.
This trade union action is aimed at protecting the lives of female Grama Niladharis and urging authorities to take swift action.
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