In response to the 24-hour token strike initiated by the All-Island Expressway Workers’ Union, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva said they have deployed tri-forces and police personnel to manage ticket counters and provide security on the expressways.
General Silva said the union had informed authorities about the strike only a day prior to the action, allowing only a short time for preparation.
“Despite challenges such as the union taking away the ticket issuing machines and not handing over cards, operations are being carried out smoothly with the deployed tri-forces personnel,” he said.
He said the army had been deployed on the Southern Expressway, Air Force personnel on the Katunayake Expressway, and the Navy on the Central Expressway (Kurunegala) to carry out the operations.
The All-Island Expressway Workers’ Union initiated the strike today, citing various demands, including concerns about the privatization of the highway network.
-daily mirror
