Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has pointed out that there are covert narrow political aims and LTTE needs in the conditions put forward by the JVP to call off the strike. Addressing journalists at the Media Centre for National Security today, the Minister said the Government assumes the responsibility that workers struggles are needed to secure their rights. But it is clear that this strike is politically motivated.
The three demands made are not related to struggles to win demands of workers. Working hours, overtime, holidays, no pay leave to go abroad and salary hikes are rights related to workers. The Minister opined that political reasons are not workers rights. It is a separate battle. It is clear that someone’s cat’s paw is enforced.
The Government had to find more than 50 billion rupees to grant a 5000 rupee salary increase, at a time when revenue and expenditure had been already been decided. It incurs an expenditure of 14 billion rupees to grant the 1000 rupee salary hike. In this manner, the government will have to cut the 127 billion rupees set apart for defence sectors if a 5000 rupee salary increase is to be given. He called upon the nation to query whether they are indirectly calling for a halt to the successful operations staged against the LTTE to liberate the Northern civilians.
(Courtesy : ITN Sri Lanka)