Despite a few acts of sabotage commited by the joint UNP-JVP during the work to rule last morning, vessel and cargo movement have not been effected. In fact the berthings of three ships was also handled despite the efforts of the union members to disrupt operations at the port, said Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports authority, Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama.

Threats have been made to members of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya and the Management of the SLPA will take appropriate action against such offenders Dr. Wickrama added.

Chief Secretary of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLFP affiliated Union) Prasanna Kalutarage said that the action of the JVP-UNP unions is not a work to rule rather a deliberate slowing down of work, an act of sabotage. However they were unable to block the berthing of three ships.

President of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (UNP affiliated Union) Mr. Udeni said that the work to rule was a total success upto 12.00 noon yesterday. However it turned violent when about 40 members of the underworld who arrived at the scene of the protest, Mercilessly attacked transfer crane operator. Gunathillake who is in critical state. He has been removed inside port premises and is being denied medical treatment at the national hospital, colombo. According to Udeni, his injuries are life threatening.

Uden added that a shipment of fuel is expected today (12) but will be kept out harbour till the 16th of November due to the work to rule. Commenting on the attack of a protesting workers, Dr. Wickrama said it had occurred to to certain comments being made by victim, which had caused a tense situation.

He (Chairman, SLPA) had immediately had this person taken into the port and he is under medical supervision.His injuries are not as serious as it is made out to be, Dr. Wickrama added.However, he was admitted to the National Hospital a little later.

Chief Secretary of the all Ceylon General Port Employees Union (JVP affiliated union),Chandrasiri Mahagamage said that the success of the work to rule must be measured by the attendance at a protest meeting held yesterday at which over 5000 workers participated .The peaceful protest was marred by the assault of a port crane operator at the conclusion of this meeting.

In the background of the impending work to rule special discussion took place between the SLPA and its Trade Unions on 05th November 2009 on the initiative of Minister of Port, Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management Chamal Rajapaksa. The Secretary of the Ministry of Port and Aviation Ranjith De Silva, Chairman of SLPA Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama and the Managing Director of SLPA Capt. Nihal Keppetipola were also present at the discussion.

The current situation of SLPA, its progressive activities and also the matters raised by the Trade Unions were discussed at this special meeting. At the discussions the Trade Unions raised concern over the salary increments, limitations pertaining to the over time working and also corruption at the port. As per the instructions by Minister of Port, Aviation, irrigation and Water Management, clarifications and implementations on these matters were also expressed by the relevant authoritative officers at the discussions.

Earlier SLPA had taken steps to offer higher salary increments to its employees in 2006. According to the agreements reached between the SLPA and the Trade Unions, concerns were expressed at these discussions on extending a considerable salary increment from January 2010, incentives and bonus.

Despite the current limitation of over time services from 25%, it was defined that it would be reduced to 10% as following satisfactory revenue conditions of SLPA. It was also expressed that during the times, financial management was equally important as the development projects implemented by SLPA could not be halted or delayed in any circumstance. Measures have also already been taken to purchase new equipment for the port to facilitate efficient services in all sectors of port activities aiming higher productivity at SLPA. Expressing further views the Chairman of SLPA, Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama stressed that the government has no idea whatsoever to privatize services or any section of SLPA.

The Chairman said that SLPA always takes action as per the regulations of SLPA and the prevailing law of the country to stop corruption and to take action against any such misdeed while punishments have been implemented at present against several employees upon receipt of accurate details and information, proven to be punishable for their misdeeds against the wellbeing of SLPA. He requested the Trade Unions to forward any information on such corruption and corrup employees with true and accurate details so that measures could be implemented against such misdeeds and persons as per the regulations and the prevailing law of the country.