Trinco port workers hold demonstration against privatisation

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 February 2003, 20:02 GMT]
Hundreds of workers of the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) Thursday afternoon staged an hour long protest demonstration in front of the SLPA main office in Trincomalee, demanding that the United National Front government not hand over the functions of the SLPA to the private sector, sources said.

Workers participated in the demonstration irrespective of trade union differences. Six trade unions related to the SLPA organized this demonstration to show their united stand against handing over the functions of the SLPA to private sector, sources said.

A trade union leader Mr.Valentin speaking to demonstrators.

" Trincomalee harbour is peoples' wealth. We will not allow the natural harbour to be administered by the private sector. The harbour should be in the hands of the government," said trade union leader, Mr.S.Valenton, in his address to the gathering.

Port workers' trade unions allege that the government is trying to hand over the Ashraff Jetty and another jetty in the harbour under the administration of the SLPA to private sector establishments. They say this would reduce the income of the SLPA and also remuneration to workers , sources said.