Johnston urges CEB unions not to strike

It is unfair for trade unionists to take people hostage and cut off the power supply for two days to win their political demands, Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando says.

Responding to journalists’ queries during an inspection tour to observe the finalizing of the work of New Kelani Bridge, which is to be opened, the Minister said that the trade unionists have mixed some of their professional grievances with political agendas of the parties they belong to. “People should understand that these unionists actually are doing politics on the pretext of winning their demands. We can recall how they opposed the East Terminal Development Project of the Colombo Port a few months ago. The end result was Sri Lanka had to give away the West Terminal, which is larger and could have been more profitable. Trade unions have a national responsibility. Whenever there is a threat to the national interest, they should give priority to them over their political agendas,” the Minister said.

“Now, they have threatened a blackout, and keep the country two days in the dark over the Kerawalapitiya power plant project, which will reduce the price of electricity,” Minister Fernando said.

 Asked to comment on minor parties in the government holding separate meetings and press conferences on various issues showing differences of opinions, the Minister said: “We are an alliance and there are minor parties that are free to hold separate meetings. We saw that they have been holding such meetings during the recent past. It is their right. That is not a problem for us as a government. All our allies meet every two months to discuss as a single entity.”

Associated with the minister was Secretary to the Ministry of Highways RWR Pemasiri, Chairman of the Road Development Authority Chaminda Athaluwage, Project Director Eng Darshika Jayasekera and other ministry officials.