JVP led trade unions demonstrated in the Colombo Fort on Monday in a build-up for the National Trade Union Center (NTUC) General strike scheduled for July 10. Protests opposite the Lake House, Railway Headquarters and the main entrance of the Colombo port, caused severe traffic jams during the lunch hour with hundreds of employees from State Banks, Lake House, Port, Electricity Board, Railway headquarters and Inland Revenue Department joining in.

The NTUC, the umbrella organisation of 366 state and private sector trade unions is demanding a five-thousand-rupee salary hike, retention of Rs. 2. 50 cost of living allowance and an immediate reduction in bus and train fares.

General Secretary of the All Ceylon Railway Employees General Union, Sumathipala Manawadu told The Island that the government still has time to grant their demands before July 10.

"We had announced the date of the strike one and a half month ago and the government is still silent. The protests today (7) are another step to encourage employees for July 10 strike," Manawadu said.

General Secretary of the All Ceylon General Port Employees Union, Chandrasiri Mahagamage, said that the government has cut down the 20 per cent allowance. Their employees had also demanded increase of festival advance. "We informed the Minister several times and he has been turning a blind eye to our demands. Because of that we decided to take part in the July 10 general strike."