914 trade unions & 15 political parties support strike acti

TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2013

Fifteen political parties are supporting the strike action called for today (21st) and 914 trade unions that are based on work sites at hospitals, transport sector and schools have joined the strike today states the Coordinating Committee for Trade Union Alliance.

The Member of the Coordinating Committee for Trade Union Alliance Wasanthe Samarasinghe speaking to the media said today’s action is only a token strike and this would be an opening to launch more actions to get the increased electricity tariffs withdrawn.

Meanwhile, trade union leaders warn that they are prepared to take stern trade union actions adding more demands after the 22nd if the government does not withdraw the decision to increase electricity tariffs today (21st).

Trade union leaders at a press conferen

Sri Lanka braces for strike against power hike

IANS/Colombo

21

May

2013

President Mahinda Rajapakse: Facing public angerSri Lanka is bracing for a nationwide strike today, which opposition parties have pledged will bring the country to a stop and pressure the government into rolling back recently increased power prices, officials said yesterday.
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 by as much as 59%.
Following massive losses by the State-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which amounted to more than $47mn, the government decided to increase electricity prices, Xinhua reported.
Opposition parties promptly criticised the government vehemently for the increase.
So strong was the protest that President Mahinda Rajapakse in his May Day speech announced a relief package that saw the electricity prices remain the same for families using less than 60 units a month and significant relief for those using less than 180 units.
Undeterred by the compromise a massive rally was organised by the opposition last Wednesday in the capital to protest the hike. Thousands carrying placards and shouting slogans converged at the main railway station at the heart of the city and called on the government to reduce prices further.
Trade unions, opposition parties and civil society organisations are gearing up to hold what is expected to be a massive protest today against the electricity tariff hike.
Leftist coalition parties of the government as well as university teachers have also joined the strike, but the private bus service has refused to partake in the agitation.
The co-ordinating committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance of Sri Lanka, which has called for the nationwide strike, said it would be a protest against the increase in electricity tariffs as well as the government’s management of the economy.
Despite the looming mass-scale strike, the government has so far refused to back down on the tariff increase.