Central expressway workers protest against failure to pay salaries

Colombo (News1st) -  Labourers employed for the construction of the second phase of the Central Expressway, from Meerigama to Kurunegala, staged a protest on Friday (Aug 24th) over the failure to pay their wages for the past two months. It is reported that the construction of the 3 kilometre stretch of road from Godapola to Nailiya, on which the labourers were working on,  is carried out by CML Walkers. Around 300 workers have not been paid their wages for the past 65 days. Workers speaking to News1st complained that they are struggling to survive as they are not being paid their due salaries. CML Walkers is owned by MTD Walkers which was under a spotlight for obtaining a Rs 10bn loan from the People's bank. As reported earlier by News1st on multiple occasions, Jehan Amaratunge the Executive Deputy Chairman of MTD Walkers also served as a member on the People's bank board of directors. When inquiries were made on this loan facility, the management of the Central Bank and the People's Bank repeatedly said the due process had been followed on this matter. When will these workers be paid their due salaries? Governor of the Central Bank, Chairman of People's Bank, the General Manager and the Board of Director, this is for your attention.