Colombo Port workers on strike

Colombo Port workers engaged in the clearance of containers and cleaners have resorted to trade union action on Monday following repeated requests to allow inspections and weighing of goods to be carried out within the port premises itself.
The port is faced with increased congestion as trucks carrying containers take about two and a half days to be cleared creating inhuman work conditions and congestion that adds up to all of the traffic in Colombo, the unions allege.
Private Sector Container Operators Association General Secretary D.I. Abdeen told TimesOline that currently the protest is underway and about 1500 containers that are sent daily for inspection to the two locations at Orugodawatte and Thotalanga have not been carried out today (Monday).
He pointed out that they want these inspections to be carried out at the port premises itself as a long term solution and as a short term measure to use the two weigh bridges for inspections to ease the traffic congestion as only about 110 could be taken in for inspection at a given time.
This has led to most drivers having to live on the roads in their trucks for nearly three days as they are unable to leave the vehicles behind and available parking is limited.
Inspections of goods on containers have been carried out since 2003 by two private companies Grey Line 1 and 2 due to the war situation prevalent in the country at the time. However, since the war ended this practice continues to date causing inconvenience to the lorry drivers and increasing the traffic congestion in Colombo, the unions alleged. (Sunimalee)