Proposals submitted by Port Trade Unions regarding ECT

The National Movement to protect the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port stressed that if the current administration of the ECT to run a profitable venture effectively, the management should be replaced by individuals better suited to hold those positions. Trade Unions presented their proposals to the committee appointed by the Cabinet to reviews proposals regarding the East Container Terminal. The proposals were handed over to the Secretary of the Ministry U.D.C. Jayalal. He is the chairman of the committee appointed by the cabinet to review the proposals. The main proposals put forward by the trade unions include 1. The government must accept the fact that they are only the temporary custodians of national assets and have no right to sell, lease or partially hand over any national asset. 2. The East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port continue to be operated by the government. 3. The sale or lease of any other terminal should be done with the express consent of the public, according to proper tender procedure and must not be done secretly behind closed doors. 4. If the current administration of the ports are unable to run the operations profitably, and effectively, they must be replaced by individuals better suited to hold those positions. 5. The management of the port should corporate with the port employees in managing the port similar to the operations conducted at the Singapore Port.