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Strike by Colombo Port workers called off
02 Aug, 2020
A strike staged by Colombo Port workers has been called off, trade unions said.
The strike was called off following talks with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today.
The Police had yesterday obtained a court order after workers at the Colombo Port disrupted operations by blocking access routes to the port.
Trade unions staged a protest yesterday demanding a written assurance from the Government that the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port will not be given to India.
Trade unions had staged a protest earlier last month but?suspended the protest following assurances given by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the time.
The trade unions had?demanded that?three new gantry cranes from China?be installed at the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Harbour.
However, after suspending the strike earlier last month, the trade unions resumed the protest demanding a written assurance that the ETC will not be given to India despite pressure from India.
Minister Wimal Weerawansa and former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila met the protesters on Friday and sought an end to the protest. However the attempt was futile.
As the protest continued the Police yesterday obtained a court order preventing the protesters from blocking access routes to the port.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has already?appointed a five-member committee?to examine and report on the concerns regarding the development of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port.
The Committee is headed by Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, M.M.P.K. Mayadunne.?(Colombo Gazette)
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