General strike cripples public life in Sri Lanka

dpa Colombo A general strike staged by workers in Sri Lanka demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government has crippled publ...

dpa ColomboA general strike staged by workers in Sri Lanka demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government has crippled public life across the country, officials said Thursday.Public and private transport was brought to a halt, workers in government offices and schools stayed home and private establishments including banks were partially closed in support of the one-day strike, a senior government official said.“This one of the biggest general strikes launched by workers, with more than 1,000 trade unions supporting the action,” trade union activist Wasantha Samarasinghe said.The general strike came as thousands continued a protest opposite the President’s office in Colombo for the 20th consecutive day, demanding the resignation of the president and his government.The protestors are also calling on the president’s brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to step down. Some of the protesters are camped out at the Premier’s residence located two kilometres away from the President’s office.Protests are also being held on a regular basis in towns across the country while the main opposition led by the opposition leader in Parliament, Sajith Premadasa, is currently leading a six-day march into the capital by Sunday to coincide May Day celebrations.President Rajapaksa has summoned all parties to Parliament on Friday to look into the possibility of forming an interim government while replacing his brother in the post of prime minister.Sri Lanka has been caught up in an unprecedented economic crisis with shortages of dollars to purchases fuel, gas and medicines resulting in shortages and long queues to buy supplies.