Ada Derana

Highly Factual

The Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union and the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) have announced a 48-hour token strike starting from 4.00 p.m. today (16) until March 18. According to co-convener of the United Postal Trade Unions’ Front, Chinthaka Bandara the strike is being staged over seven key issues, including the urgent need to fill 7,500 vacancies within the Department of Posts. “Currently, there is a shortage of 7,500 employees, including junior staff. The department is in dire straits in providing services at the minimum level. In some areas, letters are being delivered only every two days,” Bandara stated. “A discussion with the Minister is scheduled an hour before the strike begins, and the unions will decide on the strike’s continuation based on the outcome of the discussion,” he added. The two-day strike will take place on March 17 and 18, and Bandara warned that if a fair and proper solution is not found, the unions will escalate to more severe trade union action beyond these dates.

Ada Derana

Highly Factual

The Academy of Health Professionals has decided to launch a 24-hour strike starting from 07.00 a.m. tomorrow (17), as previously planned. President of the association Ravi Kumudesh said that this decision was made as the discussions that took place between the representatives of the association and the officials of the Ministry of Health were unsuccessful.

Ada Derana

Factual

The Academy of Health Professionals has launched a token strike today (March 18) in protest against the government’s decision to cut allowances for paramedical professionals under its maiden budget. The strike, which began at 7.00 a.m. today, is being carried out across all hospitals islandwide, with the backing of multiple trade unions. Seven unions from the Joint Federation of Paramedic Professionals and eleven unions from the Joint Front of Paramedic Services have extended their support. According to Co-Convenor of the Academy of Health Professionals Upul Rohana, the strike was called following unsuccessful discussions held yesterday (March 17) with Ministry of Finance officials. However, Chalith Amaradiwakara, the Co-Convenor of the Joint Federation of Paramedic Professionals, has deemed the strike unjustified, signaling a division in opinion among paramedic trade unions. Meanwhile, the Joint Postal Trade Union Front has confirmed that its ongoing postal workers’ strike will continue today, as negotiations remain unresolved. Co-Convenor of the association Chinthaka Bandara stated that since the strike began the day before yesterday, more than one million mails and parcels have accumulated in post offices across the country. However, Jagath Mahinda, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Postal Services Association, has claimed that the strike has been largely unsuccessful, further deepening the divide within the postal trade unions.

Daily Mirror

Factual

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana Colombo, March 18 (Daily Mirror) - There is a sinister move by some trade unions to call for a strike action taking patients in state hospitals as hostages, Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today. He said a strike action at a time such as this is most unfair. "We have informed all relevant institutions to ensure the security of health workers while steps have been taken to increase their salaries," the Minister said.

Daily Mirror

Highly Factual

The Association of Health Professionals has announced that it will proceed with its planned 24-hour strike scheduled for tomorrow, March 18th. The strike action is set to commence at 7:00 am, as confirmed by the Association's President, Ravi Kumudesh. The decision to strike comes in the wake of unsuccessful negotiations with relevant officials.