Sri Lanka’s expressways will not be sold or leased out, Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardena announced in Parliament today.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena assured that those engaged in the expressway sector will not lose their jobs.
He further said that legal action will be initiated if the country’s income is affected by the token strike launched by the All Island Expressways Union today.
The Minister revealed that complaints have been filed with the Police on the government’s loss of income and alleged threats by the expressway employees.
“Apart from engaging in their strike action, the expressway employees have made all equipment malfunction and have also taken possession of some necessary equipment. These are government property. We have requested them not to act so and to return the property and provide the necessary support to the security forces,” he said.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena pointed out that it was a serious issue for the government to incur a loss like this at a time when the nation was facing a crisis.
His comments come after the All Island Expressways Union launched a one-day token strike based on three key demands today.
Following the strike, the security forces were deployed at expressways across the country for security purposes and to carry out operations at toll gates. (NewsWire)
