Postal strike continues

Colombo (News1st) - Discussions between postal workers and officials have failed once again and the trade unions have announced that they will be continuing their strike action. Post-Master General Rohana Abeyratne announced today that the salaries for the month of June will only be paid to postal staff who report for duty. Issuing a release Abeyratne said the salaries of postal workers who continue to carry out the strike action will only be calculated until the 11th of June. Abeyratne urged these postal workers to call off their strike action and report for duty without further delay. The crisis was also further discussed in Parliament today. UPFA Parliamentarian Dullas Alahapperuma stated that it has already been 10 days since 26,000 postal workers launched their strike action and although the Post Master General had clearly informed that the proposal containing solutions had already been presented to the subject minister, there still isn't a solution. Minister of Post, Postal Services & Muslim Religious Affairs M.H.A. Haleem joining the debate stated that they are in this current predicament due to a circular issued in 2006 under the previous administration.  He further stated that the government has already given positive responses to two main issues presented by the trade unions. Haleem went onto note that this strike could have an ulterior motive and could be an attempt to topple the Government. JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunetti joining the debate stated that he does not believe that the 26,000 workers of the Postal department could topple the government adding that if they could it shows how weak the Government is. He noted that the workers would call off their strike if the minister simply gave them a written assurance of the promises that are being made.