Miners' underground hunger strike continues

Colombo (News 1st): The fast unto death carried out by miners at the Kahatagaha mine in Dodangaslanda continued for the second consecutive day. Employees at the Kahatagaha Mine commenced a fast unto death demanding that a number of unresolved issues be resolved. This includes salary anomalies, allowances, leave and a number of other demands. Nearly 60 miners working for the Graphite Lanka Limited Corporation have gone into a mine 1132 feet below ground level and commenced their fast unto death. The miners noted that as of now they have received nothing and it has been the case since 2012. The miners threaten that if their demands are not met, that they are prepared to go to 2000 feet below ground level, and continue their strike action, up until their demands are met. An employee on location noted that during the night, the corporation's acting Chairman had a discussion. He said the Chairman also avoided the situation giving the miners false promises that realistically cannot be fulfilled. Therefore, he noted that there is not even a Chairman for this organization. They requested the Minister to appoint a new Chairman and provide them with a solution to this as soon as possible. Joint Spokesperson for the Government, State Minister Keheliya Rambukwella expressed these views in Colombo when questions were raised by the media.

"Now you all saw how when the issue surrounding the university students came up, how we handled it. We have changed our outlook and when we do that, these unions and groups, they also change their outlook on us. We must solve this through discussion."