Train services have been disrupted after several employees belonging to various railway trade unions did not report to work, the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways said.
Furthermore, the All Ceylon Ports General Employees Union also noted that operations at the Colombo Port have come to a complete standstill.
Several employees at both the Katunayake and Koggala Free Trade Zones also engaged in protests, while estate workers and employees of the Department of Registration of Person and other essential public services too, took to the streets this morning.
Nearly 1,000 trade unions belonging to many sectors, including banks, health, teachers and principals, electricity, post offices, ports and several other public services too, staged similar token strikes.
Convenor of the Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh further stated that an indefinite strike action will be launched in the event the government fails to grasp the crises faced by the people, demonstrated through today’s token strike.
He added that this strike was not part of any personal agenda, but merely a demonstration against the failed leadership of the President and Prime Minister, which have led to the country’s demise.
Accordingly, trade union members are to express their dissent by hoisting black flags at workplaces, while those engaged in essential services are to be clad in black when reporting to work.
An islandwide harthal is scheduled to take place on 06 May, in the event the people’s demands – the resignation of the current administration – are not met by then.
Rebecca Pavey
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