More than 200 public service unions have planned to engage in union action to report sick leave tomorrow (08) and the day after (09).Sri Lanka Latest News
The state and provincial public service trade unions unitedly said that they are taking this action by demanding that the 25,000 rupees allowance given only to executive grade officials be given to all government employees.
Mr. Chandana Suriyaarachchi, Co-convener of State and Provincial Public Service Trade Union Union, said that many public service trade unions, including village officers, surveyors, development officers, and postal workers, are coming together for this action.
Mr. Chintaka Bandara, convener of the United Postal Services Union, said that the employees of Central Postal Exchange will be on strike from 4 pm today (07) in support of this trade union action.
Mr. Sumit Kodikara, President of the Sri Lanka Public Officers Trade Union Federation stated that this trade union action will be the biggest strike in Sri Lanka after the 1980 strike.
Meanwhile, the president of the All Ceylon Nurses Association, S.B. Mr. Madiwatta said that although the government employees have expressed their support for the trade union action that will be implemented tomorrow, they will not join a strike.
Meanwhile, the teacher-principal unions have also decided to report sick leave on Tuesday, the 9th, said Mr Joseph Stalin, the general secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union.
The Government Medical Officers Association has also decided not to join the union action tomorrow and the next day.
Dr. Rukshan Bellana, President of the Government Medical Officers Association stated that no trade union in the health sector will support this strike.
President Trade Union Director General Mr. Saman Ratnapriya also said that these strikes cannot be approved.
