Hambantota port workers call off fast unto death

Hambantota port workers have decided to call off their “fast unto death” campaign, a short while ago, due to a receiving a favorable response from Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to their demands. 

The protest fast was launched on January 9 demanding that the 438 employees of the Magampura Port be recruited by the Ports Authority or that they be compensated sufficiently. 

Eleven employees, including a female employee, had launched the protest, which had continued until today (19).

The protest fast was organised by the Hambantota Magampura Ports Employees’ Union. Last Thursday (11), three employees, who were staging the fast-unto-death, were hospitalised. 

Hambantota Magampura Ports Employees’ Union President I.K.Romesh said that that the strike and the fast-unto-death were called off on the assurance of receiving Rs.1 million as compensation to 138 employees out of the 438 employees engaged in the trade action.

Meanwhile, the employees have also held a discussion with Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe on the interceding of Ven.Omalpe Sobhitha Thero regarding the matter