Life in many parts of the country was paralyzed as buses went off the roads and shops and markets remained shut due to the Hartal campaign launched by the trade unions jointly with civil society organizations yesterday demanding the President and the Prime Minister to step down from their positions.
Workers from diverse sectors ranging from health, transport, finance and marketing joined the campaign crippling the daily life of the people.
Thousands of people who came to hospitals and public offices seeking their services were also inconvenienced as attendance of government offices was thin.
Educational activities at government schools were affected badly as teachers and the principals joined the hartal campaign.
Employees of 57 factories in the Biyagama Export Processing Zone returned homes as protests continued throughout the day blocking three gates of the Zone.
Banking services in the public and private sector were crippled as bank employees also joined the campaign yesterday.Almost all railway stations and bus stands were deserted and all long distance buses were parked at the Central Bus Stand Pettah as there were not passengers.The Central Bank trade union also joined the Hartal by launching a protest march at Galle Face.
Employees of the Bandaranaike International Airport launched a protest campaign during the lunch hour.
However the normal services at the Airport were not disrupted due to this situation.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
, Local, ,