Normalcy affected as country marks island wide hartal campaign today

Update: (2.45 PM)  Marking the hartal campaign today, massive protests are currently being staged across the island by various Trade Unions, and federations demanding the immediate resignation of the government. 

The Negombo - Chilaw main road was blocked from Thelwatta Junction due to a protest by fishermen while similar protests are underway in Panandura, Moratuwa regions of Colombo and other parts of the country.

Trade Unions in Batticaloa staged a collective protest today issuing a fresh ultimatum of commencing an indefinite hartal campaign from May 11 onwards if the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa failed to resign. 

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Normal services across the country came to a standstill today due to hartal campaign that is currently effective in many parts of the island.

Public schools, markets and shops have been closed in major cities and sub-urban towns extending support to the hartal campaign call announced by over 2000 Trade Union bodies.

Transport facilities are also limited with the state-run Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) engaging in selected inter-provincial routes only. 

Despite the hartal campaign today, people lined up in long queues in front of fuel sheds to secure fuel as the ration system came to effect from Wednesday due to a shortage in fuel stocks. 

Central Bank Trade Union members protest outside the Central Bank in Fort.

Hatton 

Jaffna 

Mathugama 

Pitakotte junction