Sri Lanka Talks collapse, postal unions to strike from Tuesday

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Postal trade unions have resolved to go ahead with a strike from Tuesday after talks with Posts Minister M.H.A Haleem failed yesterday. United Postal Trade Unions Front Chief Chinthaka Bandara said the minister was unable to give an assurance with regard to their demands which included abandoning the move to convert several old post office buildings into hotels, the restoration of the old General Post Office (GPO) opposite the President’s House in Fort and workers’ problems.

“The minister told us that the President and the Prime Minister were looking into the matter and therefore he could not provide a solution to the issues,” Mr Bandara said.
He said the unions had decided to go ahead with the strike on Tuesday, but they were still open to talks. The Unions have been opposing the sale of some of the old post office buildings, including the historical post office building in Nuwara Eliya. Minister Haleem said he explained to the unions at yesterday’s meeting that he had discussed the matter with the Prime minister’s secretary and was awaiting a response.

He said the Government was trying to develop cities and turn old buildings with historical value into revenue-making ventures. He said the post offices at Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Galle had been earmarked for this purpose. The minister said that although there was a threat of a strike, many unions had promised they would not join it.