New laws to mitigate impact of strikes on essential services to be introduced

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardena shows off a document concerning Ceylon Government Railway at yesterday’s briefing to the media

•  Says proposed laws aim to ensure continuous operation of essential services, protect public interests
• Move follows President’s directive to Justice Minister to explore legal measures; seeks advice from AG on legal provisions to mitigate impact of illegal trade union actions in essential services
• Reveals 50-80% of Govt.’s tax income allocated for public sector salaries 
• Affirms Govt. led by President is not intimidated by politically motivated and unfair public sector demands

By Charumini de Silva

The Government yesterday announced that new legislation will be introduced to limit the impact of strikes on the public, particularly in essential services such as education, health and transport.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that the laws are being explored to mitigate the disruption caused by trade union actions in these critical sectors. 

“The proposed laws aim to ensure the continuous operation of essential services, safeguarding public interests against the disruptions caused by strikes,” he added.

The move comes as a response to the President’s directive to the Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, to study legal possibilities to prevent State sector workers from conducting strikes that disregard public inconvenience.

The President has also sought advice from the Attorney General on legal provisions available to mitigate the impact of illegal trade union actions, especially when the Government has designated certain services as essential.

Gunawardena highlighted the significant financial burden posed by State sector salaries and pensions, noting that 50-80% of the Government’s tax income is allocated for these expenses. 

“In 2020, despite minimal Government income, 86% of the State’s total income was used to pay public servants, a figure that has since decreased to around 72% due to a broader tax base,” he added.

The Minister affirmed that the Government, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, is not intimidated by politically motivated and unfair demands from the public sector, especially when the Treasury cannot afford additional expenses.