Heavy traffic in Colombo as protestors demand salary hike

Heavy traffic is reported in Fort and surrounding areas in Colombo due to a trade union demonstration in front of Fort Railway Station.

Ports, electricity, petroleum trade unions took to streets today (8) over several demands including increasing their salaries by Rs. 10,000. Majority of the post offices were not operating today as the postal union too joined the strike. All protestors reported being sick in order to take part in the demonstrations.

“We are waiting for the government to make an announcement before tomorrow’s final budget reading. If we are not given a salary hike to meet the increasing cost of living, unions will continue our trade union action,” said Convenor of the Joint Postal Union, Chinthaka Bandara.

All unions had their separate demands apart from the salary increase.

Eighteen health sector unions including nurses, paramedics, public health officers and complimentary medical staff also launched a 24-hour strike provincial wise with health staff at hospitals in the Northwestern province protesting today.

Due to development officers joining the strike, public seeking services at divisional secretariats and other local government offices were turned away.

Patients visiting the Ayurveda Hospital in Borella were highly inconvenienced due to its health staff joining the strike demanding the government for the Rs. 7500 COVID allowance. (Pix by Akila Jayawardana)