Connect with us

News

Unions threaten continuous strike

Published

on

People are placing their underwear on police barriers erected to prevent protesters from entering the parliament Complex. Pic by NISHAN S PRIYANTHA

Hartal cripples country

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Trade unions, which held yesterday’s strike, warned they would launch a continuous strike unless the President and the government resigned immediately.

The country came to a standstill yesterday after employees of government, semi-government and private institutes went on strike.

Shops in all towns were closed in support of the hartal.

Ravi Kumudesh, Convener of the Trade Unions and Mass Organisation, told The Island yesterday, that all regional traders’ associations had supported the hartal.

The staff of the Colombo National Hospital, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, the Castle Street Hospital, and other health institutions, did not take part in the strike, but they held demonstrations during the lunch hour and in the evening.

Private buses as well as trains did not operate. Only some Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses were seen on the road.

“99.00% of private buses did not operate,” Gemunu Wijerathne, Head of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association said.

Workers in Katunayaka, Biyagama, Seethawaka, Kotagala and other Free Trade Zones, too, joined the demonstration.

“Demonstrations were held in all towns. This hartal was even more successful than the 1953 hartal,” Kumudesh said.

National Peoples Power (NPP) Executive Committee member Wasantha Samarasinghe said that they had taken steps to ensure that entrances to the airport and other strategic locations were accessible.

“We could have crippled Ports but we decided not to because we don’t want to hurt exports. But the government gave a holiday to all Port workers,” he said.



Latest News

Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

on

By

The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district,  Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

Continue Reading

News

INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

Published

on

By

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure  the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

Published

on

By

A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday  (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Continue Reading

Trending