By Rathindra Kuruwita

Protesting trade unions yesterday threatened to intensify their industrial action, in the coming days, unless the government addressed their concerns.

Trade unions held a strike yesterday in several sectors to pressure the government to reverse the new tax regime.

Employees of the Ports Authority, the Postal Department, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the education sector carried out a work-to-rule campaigns, wearing black arm bands.

Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU) Chairman Channa Dissanayake said they would step up trade union action unless the government provides answers to the issues raised.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees conducted a sick leave campaign.

The CPC trade union convenor Jagath Wijegunawardana said that they had launched a successful work-to-rule campaign and all the unions had united.

Employees of the Colombo Port, who are carrying out work-to-rule, held a demonstration opposite the main entrance to the port during the lunch hour.

Roads, near the port, were obstructed.

Saman Ratnapriya, Director General of Trade Unions to President Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed the trade union action had failed.

“There was nothing much happening in the Health, Education, and Postal sectors. They are only wearing black. The CPC employees are on a work-to-rule campaign. The CEB employees have only taken sick leave. There is no strike in the transport sector. Port employees are on a go slow. People are not on the roads,” he said.