Trade Unions rally to GMOA strike

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 June 1999, 18:42 GMT]
Twenty six trade unions have given Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunge 24 hours, ending tomorrow afternoon to resolve the issues over which Sri Lankan doctors are striking, after which they will begin also begin trade union action in support of the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA).

Amongst the 26 are unions belonging to the postal sector, electricity, banking, university, and the railway services.

The unions say they intend to picket at Lipton Circus near downtown Colombo tomorrow.

The unions are thought to have a collective membership of hundred thousand workers.

Previous strikes by Sri Lanka's Electricity and Postal sector workers have caused blackouts and severe delays in the postal service.

The leader of the main opposition United National Party, Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly sent a letter to Prime Minister Srimavo Bandaranaike asking the People's Alliance government to resume Parliament earlier than scheduled on July 6 to solve the growing problem.

The hearing of the case against the GMOA is scheduled for tomorrow at a Colombo district court.

The GMOA says it will call off its strike if President Kumnaratunge directly addresses the issue.

A report in the Daily Mirror newspaper says that a three year old child has died due to the medical staff's industrial action service chiefs and he had discussions with the field commanders and assessed the situation at the war front.