Govt. warns strict measures against rule breakers

• Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena says those violating law to sabotage essential services will have to face consequences 
• Opines any act to sabotage essential services will be termed ‘treason’
• Govt. declared several services as essential as they cannot allow process to be thwarted
• Despite Govt. warnings, healthcare, education, ports, electricity, fuel, railway, postal services are to go on strike today

The Government yesterday warned that strict measures will be taken against those who violate the law to sabotage essential services today (15) via trade union actions.

“The crucial $ 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka will be decided by the IMF Directors at their Board meeting on 20 March. The Government declared several services as essential because we cannot allow that process to be thwarted. Thus, strict action will be taken,” Cabinet Co-Spokesperson and Minister Bandula Gunawardena told journalists at the post-Cabinet meeting briefing yesterday.

Noting that healthcare, education, ports, electricity, fuel, railway, and postal services have been declared as essential via a gazette notification, he said those who break the law will have to undergo the repercussions.

“Any act to sabotage the essential services in the country will be termed as treason,” he added.

Multiple sectors have decided to go on strike for 24-hours today (15) against the Government’s latest tax policy, which professionals term unfair. 

They have called for immediate reforms in the tax policy as many of their reward schemes have been slashed amidst the ongoing economic crisis.

“Although the trade unions claimed they would disrupt the economic activities last time via a token strike, by the end of the day it was not successful,” Gunawardena said. 

Claiming that the Government understands the painful reality and the difficulties faced by the people, he said given the economic situation it was necessary to implement reforms to put the country back on track.

“If we don’t fix it now, through the IMF bailout program there is no future for the country. We have to show our commitment to overcome this crisis,” he explained.

Cabinet Co-Spokesman said people have forgotten the terrible consequences that they went through in fuel and gas queues and long-hour power outages countrywide. 

“President Wickremesinghe has somehow pulled us out of the dire situation from where this economy was a few months ago. Let’s not forget those and rebuild the economy again in a correct way,” he added.