Sri Lanka unions stage strike to protest against IMF bailout plan
Thousands of workers at hospitals, schools and railways across Sri Lanka have gone on strike to...
People shout slogans during a protest against the government increasing income tax amid an unprecedented economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Thousands of workers at hospitals, schools and railways across Sri Lanka have gone on strike to protest against high costs of living, including increased taxes imposed as a precondition for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, amid the country's worst financial crisis in decades.
Schools on Wednesday (Mar 15) cancelled term tests and outpatient departments at hospitals closed due to the public sector work stoppage that involved more than 40 trade unions. Fewer vehicles were seen on roads.
Dockers at the main sea port in Colombo stayed away while air traffic controllers joined the combined industrial action to carry out a "go slow" for two hours affecting at least 14 international flights.
"All considered, our work-to-rule was for two hours, but we will consider a full-blown strike if the government does not roll back the new tax rates," Rajitha Seneviratne, secretary of the air traffic controllers' association.
