Petroleum unions have notified the public they will embark on a continuous strike beginning midnight tonight, in protest of the impending deal with India.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is due in India next week, ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for Vesak, during which the two leaders are expected finalise the Trincomalee port deal, as well as ECTA, the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka.
Under the agreement India, which currently runs 15 of 99 oil tanks through the Indian Oil Corporation will extend their service to the remaining 84 tanks, of which Sri Lanka plan to retain 10.
Meanwhile Petroleum Industries Minister Chandima Weerakkody told reporters he would conduct a discussion with petroleum unions tomorrow, where he expressed confidence a satisfactory outcome would be reached.