Many trade unions have announced a protest day today (08).
The protest is about several things including the unfair tax policy.
More than 40 trade unions, including medical, electrical, port, petroleum, university professors, will join today’s protest.
The main protest rally will be held at Colombo Hyde park Ground.
The Government Medical Officers Association has taken steps to implement a one-day symbolic strike today in support of the Professionals’ Protest Day.
Its media spokesperson Mr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that this 24-hour strike is active in both government and private hospitals.
However, he stated that it will not be implemented in several hospitals including children’s, maternity and cancer hospitals.
Government dental officers are also going on a token strike today, demanding a rollback of the unfair tax policy.
Meanwhile, the Federation of University Teachers’ Unions has also decided to engage in a one-day strike today.
Many trade unions, including electricity, water supply, petroleum and port, are engaged in a joint protest at Colombo Fort this afternoon.
The port unions will be engaged in a strike action from this morning.
Mr. Isuru Kasthuriratne, Joint Secretary of Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union, said that all the members of his union will leave the services today.
Mr. Ashoka Rangwala, President of the Petroleum Public Employees Union, said that petroleum corporation employees will also join today’s protest.
Meanwhile, the Union of Sri Lanka Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries, in a statement, says that its members have decided not to report to duty on sick leave today.
The purpose of this is to protest against the unfair tax bill.
Its Joint Secretary Mr. Upali Ratnayake mentioned that the Water Supply Workers Union will also join today’s protest.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ranjan Senanayake, General Secretary of Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union, said that his members have decided to suspend banking transactions today at 10.30 am.