Several SLTB employees obstruct three depots

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Despite the attempt to launch an island-wide strike by several employees of the SLTB, it seemed futile. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board Upali Marasinghe noted that all the SLTB depots carried out their services uninterrupted except for ten depots. A number of employees of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya noted that they would engage in an island-wide strike last night as their demands were not met. Chairman of the SLTB Upali Marasinghe noted that the employees who were engaged in the strike action blocked the main entrance of the Maharagama, Akuressa and Negombo depots. Therefore, the chairman requested the police to provide security to reopen the main gates of the respective bus depots and conduct their daily routine. Meanwhile, our correspondents observed the manner in which the strike action was carried out since morning. SLTB buses of the Chilaw, Kurunegala, Kandy bus depots and buses on the Colombo Galle main road operated according to the usual schedule. However, the buses of the Gampaha depot refrained from carrying out their duties today(June 12). When the chairman of the SLTB, Upali Marasinghe was reached over the phone he noted that an official announcement was not made regarding the strike and he instructed the depots to carry out their functions as ususal. However, the employees of the SLTB attached to the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya declared that the strike action was successful. Secretary of the Narahenpita Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya said that the appointments that were made recently were not in accordance with the standard procedure. Chairman of the SLTB Upali Marasinghe went on to say that the board is in process of providing appointments according to a proper legal procedure.

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