Government insists strike a flop; Unions say a success

Colombo Gazette: While trade unions claimed yesterday’s strike against the increase in electricity tariffs was a success the Government insisted it was a flop. The Government information department said that according to statistics obtained by the Government, attendance to duties by employees at public enterprises yesterday exceeded 93.5% which is 3.5% more than daily attendance.

Few trade unions affiliated to opposition political parties attempted to resort to trade union action yesterday, demanding the withdrawal of the increased electricity tariff. The joint trade union alliance leaders said that the real reason behind the attempt was to gain petty political mileage, and not to protest against the electricity tariff hike.

The Government information department said that trade union leaders affiliated to health and education sectors Roy de Mel and N. Hadapangoda had said that workers affiliated to their sectors have denounced any disruptive action. Ariyadasa Pathirana of Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (Ports Authority) said no work at any of the ports in the country was disrupted, as the workers were totally against any strike action.

“Sri Lanka Transport Board will operate 5,000 buses during the period, while trains will operate on schedule,” SLTB Deputy Chairman L.A. Wimalarathna said. According to Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners Association, there was no bus strike as all buses registered under their trade union are not supporting any strike. Sri Lanka Transport Board and Sri Lanka Railways have added more buses and trains to their operations so that there will not be any transportation disruptions.

Pix By Pradeep Dilrukshana and Kithsiri De Mel