Islandwide General strike cripples services

General strike launched by more than a thousand trade unions has crippled the services across the country, today morning. 

The train and bus services have come to a grinding halt where teachers and children have been kept away from schools. Commuters have been told to use alternative transport options by authorities.

The Katunayake expressway leading to the Bandaranaike International Airport has been blocked by protestors at Averiwatte near the airport. Both tourists and locals who need to reach airport have been forced to carry their luggage and walk towards the Departure Lounge. 

Shops in several parts of the country too remain closed while the public sector attendance at state departments also sharply dropped crippling government establishments.

Meanwhile, Free trade zone employees at Katunayake have launched a major protest at Awariyawatta Junction Katunayake.

The island-wide strike has also slowed down services at Dambulla, Nawula, Sigiriya and areas such as Galewela.

There was lesser turn-up of farmers to the Dambulla dedicated economic center due to the current situation. The farmers have also brought fewer amounts of vegetables to the market. However due to the slim turn up of merchants, the vegetables remained on the shelves, and even lesser consumers turned up at the market. 

In and around Beruwala, many government institutions remained shut in support of the strike. They include the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat, the Bank of Ceylon branches in Beruwala, Aluthgama and Darga Nagar, and Darga Nagar post office. Many of these institutions had put up notices saying they were closing in support of the strike. 

Reacting to the general trade union action, former ministers of the ruling party claimed that protests and strikes are not the solution for the prevailing crisis.

They also pointed out that the country would get external support only if there was political stability.

Former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Times Online that the strikes and union actions are the right of the people but in another perspective people we have to see whether it is the correct time to have protests.

He added that there is no point in pointing fingers at each other. Therefore the state administration sector, government and the opposition as well as other parties and groups should get together and resolve this crisis.

He pointed out that even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or any other international body would not help if there is no political stability.

 “We are in a very bad situation economically wise. There were other countries which faced similar situations and bounced back. Therefore, we need to take examples from them and take action.”

He added that the union actions would only make things worse and further delay chances of economic recovery. Everyone should think of the impact of their actions, he remarked. 

Former Sports Minister Namal Rjapaksa too reacted on social media. “A section of the general.public is busy protesting against the Govt. The opposition is busy organizing a protest March. The ruling coalition is divided trying to create a majority, while the country is suffering! Are we truly addressing the issues at hand or busy with different agendas?" he queried on Twitter. 

https://twitter.com/RajapaksaNamal/status/1519373426527404032

Meanwhile General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin claimed that the token strike is one of the strongest strike actions in history as many sectors took action simultaneously.  

He added that state employees, from laborers to senior administrative officials took part and were able to successfully give the message to the government.

“Our message is clear; the government should resign and go home.”

 Mr Stalin added that the teachers and principals' protest was successful as students had to turn away and return home as the strike action was strictly followed.

Scenes captured at Galle Face road, Colombo today. 

Ratmalana railway station

Anamaduwa

Dambulla - Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

Aluthgama and Beruwala - Pix by Thushitha Kumara De Silva

Schools closed in Puttalam - Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe