Port unions call off strike on PM’s assurance ECT will not be given to foreigners
COLOMBO – The coalition of trades unions protesting against the handing over of the East Container Terminal (ECT) to a foreign company, on Monday (Feb 1) decided to call off the strike action, effective Tuesday (2), following assurances from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Terminal will remain under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Rohan Welivita, Prime Minister’s Media Secretary, issuing a statement on Monday, said Prime Minister Rajapaksa had assured representatives of the trade union coalition the Terminal will be 100% owned and operated by the SLPA. The statement said representatives of the trade union coalition which comprises 23 different bodies , met with the Prime Minister and other officials on Monday.
Reportedly, when the union representatives asked for a guarantee in writing about the government decision, Rajapaksa had said he had solved many such disputes in the past and his word had been good enough. He had also assured the trade union representatives that the cabinet paper in this regard will be submitted on Monday, revealing that the report submitted by the committee appointed to study the agreement had revealed the foreign company had refused to accept the terms and conditions provided in this regard, resulting in the terminal being operated 100% by the Ports Authority.
The unions, according to the statement, had said they would stop the work rule union action from Tuesday (2).
However, MediaLK.com quoted one union leader Niroshan Gorakanage as saying that while they accept the word of the Prime Minister a final decision would be made after perusing the cabinet paper on the subject.
Port trade union opposition intensified over a build operate transfer (BOT) style deal to complete the Eastern Container Terminal, where 49% of the Terminal would be handed over to Adani Group, an Indian business empire with investments in domestic and foreign megaprojects, were made public. The trade unions started a work to rule campaign, with workers in Galle and Trincomalee also joining in, demanding a promise in writing that 100% of the Terminal would remain with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Meanwhile, Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa said the decision to retain ownership of the Terminal was a victory for all those who called for complete government ownership in the development of the terminal, but noted that the Western Terminal of the Colombo Port will be developed under a Public- Private Partnership.
The partnership he said could be with India or the West Indies, but it would development using foreign investment under President’s National Policy ‘Saubhagya Dakma’.
-ENCL/economynext.com