Electricity, petroleum, port unions launch protests

Ceylon Electricity Board, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Port Authority employees jointly launched a trade union action today (3) with employees from all over the country taking part in protests staged in front of headquarters of respective institutions.

Large number of protestors gathered in front of the CEB head office in Fort while petroleum employees protested in front of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery this afternoon. Protestors holding placards and banners voiced against the alleged move by the government to sell state property belonging to the Ports Authority, privatization of state assets and the deal with US-based New Fortress Energy to hand over shares of the state-owned Yugadanavi power plant.

CEB employees charged that the government had violated tender procedure when handing over 40 percent of the power plant to a US company.

Ports Unions Joint Alliance gathered in front of Khan clock tower in Fort against the government’s move to hand over control of the West terminal to India, South terminal to China, and the East to manpower and services resulting in job losses.

Meanwhile, railway unions launched a protest demanding a salary increase of Rs.10,000. All Ceylon Railway Employees Union said the protest will be held in front of Railway Headquarters.

Hospitals in the country saw nurses protesting in front of hospital premises today demanding a salary increase from the upcoming budget.

Parents gathered in front of many schools demanding the government to solve teacher/principal salary anomalies and to increase allocation for the education sector.

CEB (Pix & video by Indika Handuwala)

Petroleum (Pix by Priyanka Samaraweera)

Port (Pix & video by Akila Jayawardana)

Parent-teacher-principals (Pix by Akila Jayawardana)

Nurses (Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe)