Sri Lanka oppositions strike against power hike

Sri Lanka opposition parties and trade unions called a nationwide strike today, which parties have pledged will bring the country to a stop and pressure the government into rolling back recently increased power prices.

This is the latest in a string of protests that have erupted in Sri Lanka’s capital since last week, called by opposition parties against a government decision to increase electricity prices.
Following massive losses by the State-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which amounted to more than $47mn, the government decided to increase electricity prices.

According to govt. Information Department source, the attendance to duty by employees at public sector today had exceed 93.5% which was 3.5% more than the average daily attendance, the Trade Unions claimed that today’s general strike was a success.

National Trade Union Centre President K.D.Lal Kantha said that the strike was in fact success.

“Today's general strike is a success as government imposed many strictures on State sector workers,” he said.

He also claimed that many private sector workers did not report to work during the day.

Convening a news conference today regarding the strike action, the Coordinating Committee for Trade Union Alliance said the countrywide strike campaign launched by Trade unions and political parties was a success despite the government’s attempts of sabotage it.

“Employees in about 200 Private companies participated in the strike. Also, a large number of private factories did not function today in support of the strike,” Strike Alliance Member Wasanthe Samarasinghe said. Posted by Unknown 5/21/2013