Hambantota Port Employees Launched a Strike Demanding Security of Employment

A group of employees at the Hambantota port  launched a strike  and staged a satyagraha campaign on Thursday (8)  afternoon demanding their  security  of employment.

Ports Minister Arjuna Ranatunga who arrived at the port yesterday, said the workers were provided jobs at the sea port by the previous regime under the Magampura Varaya project and not through the Sri Lanka Port Authority and as such he was unable to bring the employees under the purview of the Port Authority or to affiliate them with the Port Authority. He said he will not allow anyone to lose his job even if a foreign company takes over the Hambantota Sea Port.

Ports and Shipping Deputy Minister Nishantha Mutuhettigama said  yesterday night that the strike was continuing unabated.