10.7.2008
A
media conference had been arranged at Library Services
and Documentation Board Auditorium by National Trade Union
Centre (NTUC) to thank all those who supported the token
strike carried out today. President of NTUC Lal Kanthe
said 70% of all state employees participated in the strike.
He said as the strike was a complete success a meeting
of all trade unions that are affiliated to NTUC would
be held tomorrow (11th) to discuss future action.
Though
state media was attempting to state that the strike was
a failure, the government trembled before the strength
of the workers said Mr. Lal Kanthe. The aim of the strike
was to show strength of the state workers to the government
without hindering the general public. Hence, trying to
show that the strike was unsuccessful because normal work
in the country was not affected is not a criterion to
find out the success of the strike. It should be gauged
by finding out how many state employees had joined the
strike said Mr. Lal Kanthe.
A
media person asked Mr. Lal Kanthe regarding the statement
made by Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma that transport
sector functioned normally in spite of the strike and
Lal Kanthe should resign from his Parliamentary seat.
In response Mr. Lal Kanthe said transport workers have
joined the strike but the government had engaged troops,
police, pensioners and higher officials as drivers of
buses in an unsuccessful bid to shows that transport sector
was working normally. When the majority of transport workers
have joined the strike why should he resign asked Mr.
Lal Kanthe. He said there is information that the government
was attempting to use thugs to intimidate workers who
joined the strike today when they come for work tomorrow.
He said if the government attempts such a course of action
a general strike would be called getting even the private
sector employees to join.
Courtesy - Lanka
Truth