Trade unions call off protest over Colombo Port terminal

COLOMBO (News1st) : Trade unions called off protests on Friday over the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port after a successful discussion with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Employees of port unions abstained from duties citing delays in setting up three cranes that had been procured for the development of the terminal, on the site. Three-port workers staged a fast by climbing onto a crane on Wednesday. "The Prime Minister permitted to set up the three gantry cranes at the ECT," Shamal Sumanaratne, the general secretary of the Ports, Commerce Industries and Progressive Workers Union said. "We have won our fight". Unionists said they would however continue their struggle, until the Sri Lanka Ports Authority receives complete control of the terminal. "We are requesting the President to commence the operations of the East Terminal by throwing away the little Indian's who are greedy for dollars out of the fray," Sanjaya Kumara Weligama, another trade union leader remarked. While attempts are being made to give away these resources to India, the valuable South Terminal of the Colombo Port is being run as a joint venture with China. The valuable portion of the Hambantota Port is being handled by China as well.