The go-slow organised by the JVP and UNP trade unions in the Petroleum Corporation, Ports, CEB and National Water Supply and Drainage Board could not topple the government, which was fully aware of the motives of JVP and UNP trade unions, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said addressing a press conference at the Government Information Department yesterday.

He said the trade unions on the pretext of launching a work-to-rule campaign were trying to resort to sabotage. Although the government had granted a salary increase for the public servants, the JVP and UNP trade unions had resorted to a work-to-rule campaign. The Government would increase the salaries of

public servants from January next year with retrospective effect from November, 2009, he said.

Minister Yapa said that he had documentary evidence that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had sent a letter to the Human Rights Watch in UK stating that it would never stop funds allocated to Sri Lanka.

Minister Yapa pointed out that the IMF would provide funds for resettling IDPs.

The Media Minister said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had ordered the relevant authorities to pay compensation to tsunami affected farmers in the Ampara district and seed paddy would be provided free of charge.

He said that the Government had decided to recruit 17,000 graduates in 2010 to fill the vacancies in the public sector.