The union leaders say that the strike implemented today was successful based on several demands including the government’s tax policy.
Mr. Niroshan Gorakanage, General Secretary of Port Public Employees Union, said that port services have been completely stopped. He says that the Chairman of the Port Authority tried to force the employees to work, but failed.
Mr. Joseph Stalling, General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Service Association said that 100% schools are closed
Ranjan Jayalal, General Secretary of the All Ceylon Electricity Public Employees’ Union said that only the maintenance section and power plants were working as decided by the trade unions of the Electricity Board and all other services have been stopped and they have joined the strike.
Dr. Ashoka Rangwala, General Secretary of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation union, said that except the members of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation General Union, the rest of the trade unions have reported to work today.
Mr. Rangwala said that the Minister of Energy had called all the trade union leaders for a discussion yesterday and the minister had said that he would not reverse any of the decisions he had made and his trade union did not join the discussion.