Miners carry on underground hunger strike

Colombo (News 1st): A hunger strike was staged by the workers of the Dodangaslanda Kahatagaha mine this morning (Jan 21). The protest was staged 1132 feet underground. Miners of the Kahatagaha mine in Dodangaslanda assembled today to discuss their wages and other issues. They note that from 2012 onwards their basic wage has not been increased. They added that they get only 14 days of annual leave and there had not been any fairness towards their cause. They stressed that they work 2000 feet under and are carrying out a battle between life and death. They warned the officials that if they are not given any solution they will go down to a depth of 2000 feet and will carry out a critical hunger strike. Workers gathered near the mine around 10 o'clock to commence their critical hunger strike in order to achieve their aims. About 60 miners who work at the Dodangaslanda Graphite Lanka Limited Company had joined in this strike including 15 women. Miners requested his Excellency the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry to consider them. This graphite mine was established in 1872 and then it was acquired by the government in 1971. Currently, the mine is under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.