ECT CRISIS: Trade unions hand over 6 proposals to President

COLOMBO (News 1st): The trade unions collective to protect the East Container Terminal handed over 6 proposals on how to resolve the issues that have arisen with regard to the East Container Terminal. 

The initial proposals presented by the trade unions include

1. Development of the West Container Terminal with India and Japan to resolve the geopolitical crisis.

2. Sign an agreement similar to the one that established the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT).

3. Presentation of the cabinet paper on the ECT and the development of the West Container Terminal with India and Japan to be presented together. 

However, a communique issued by the trade unions collective for the protection of the East Container Terminal this evening had amended some of these proposals. 

According to this document, the collective would support any investment programs for the terminals that would benefit the country in the future. 

It adds that the East Container Terminal must continue to be owned and operated 100% by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. 

These proposals amended certain proposals that were made in the previous letter. 

Speaking about the matter during a media briefing today, General Secretary of the Trade Unions Collective for the Protection of the ECT Shyamal Sumanarathne said that the letter in possession of the journalists is the draft and different letter was presented for discussions. 

"We have always requested that the ECT be saved. At one point, we even suggested to give away the West terminal in order to save the ECT. I still stand for what I said then," said Shyamal Sumanarathne. 

"The development of the West terminal must be done in a way that would be beneficial to the country. We don't know if this will be given to Adani, India, China, or Japan. What we said about Adani being a corrupt organization will not change despite it being the East or West terminal," General Secretary of the Professionals' National Front Engineer Kapila Perera said. 

However, the trade unions that represent the JVP had not signed this list of proposals. 

Speaking about the matter General Secretary of the All Ceylon General Port Employees' Union Niroshan Gorakanage said "We did not sign that letter as we do not agree with them. That is our policy."