Election commission requests a halt to trade union actions

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Chairman of the National Elections Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya has requested the state sector, including railway employees, to refrain from conducting strike actions during the Presidential election period. In the communique, the Chairman added that the commission respects every state employee's and trade union's right to win their demands through legal measures, however, if trade union actions remain to continue in an election period, which bestows the citizens with their mandate would dismantle the entire election process. Hence, the National Election Commission requested the staff of the Railway Department who are currently engaged in a trade union action to abandon it and come to an agreement through peaceful discussions without inconveniencing the general public. The communique further requests the relevant authorities to assist trade unions to resolve their demands peacefully. In addition, the National Election Commission stated that they are carrying out everything in their power to hold the election smoothly and they request the assistance of every citizen in the country to do the same.