Airport trade unions are protesting, claiming the bonus is insufficient.

Airport employee trade unions held a protest this morning at the premises of the Buddhist shrine at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake. This protest was organized to demand the payment of five basic salaries, which was declared by the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, retired Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, as a bonus for the year 2025.

Neth News correspondent stated that about five hundred employees, representing the Airport Sri Lanka Independent Employees' Union, the Public Service Employees' Union, the Progressive Employees' Union, the National Employees' Union, and the Sri Lanka Independent Employees' Union of SriLankan Airlines, participated in this protest.

Addressing the protesters, Mr. Muhandiram, President of the Airport Sri Lanka Independent Employees' Union, pointed out that while the airport company's annual net profit is approximately 21 billion rupees, only an amount equivalent to twice the basic salary has been given as a bonus for the year 2025.

He further stated that the government should focus on these demands and take steps to obtain cabinet approval for at least an additional two basic salaries. Otherwise, Mr. Muhandiram emphasized that there are 16 ways to incapacitate the airport to win their rights, and they would be compelled to implement them.