JVP trade unions lashed out at the government over cutting down on the cost of living allowances for public sector workers. They claimed that the public sector workers cannot meet the sky rocketing cost of living without further assistance from the government.

The pro-JVP National Trade Union centre (NTUC) wrote to the President Mahinda Rajapakse seeking immediate intervention to reinstate the cost of living allowances.

"The government promised in the 2006 budget to pay the public sector workers a Rs. 1,000 cost living allowance and a Rs. 2.50 for each point increased in the cost of living index, once in six months. However, it was cancelled by circular 12/2006 recently. The circular cancelled the previous allowance but included a Rs. 1,375 to the public sector salaries. However, at the end of July, the cost of living index had increased by 440 units. Accordingly, government employees must be paid a Rs. 2,100 allowance," JVP MP and President of the NTUC K. D. Lalkantha said.

He said that their trade unions will not agree with the government on this issue as the cost of services such as electricity, transport, water are increased.