Unions say they will not allow privatisation of East Container Terminal

The Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) yesterday warned that they would not allow the government to privatise the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo port.JTUA said all port workers were opposed to the privatization of the ECT.

Convenor of the JTUA and General Secretary of the All-Ceylon Ports General Employees Union Niroshan Gorakanage said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had become the President through palace intrigue.

“Now, he is going around making silly statements. He recently said he would extend the Colombo Port to Ja Ela,” he said.

Gorakanage said Wickremesinghe wanted to sell the ECT on IMF recommendations and that the government was planning to sell all profit-making national assets.

“The President has no mandate to make serious decisions that affect the country,” he said.