Bankrupt Sri Lanka’s hospitals were crippled and transport disrupted today as trade unions protested against the doubling of taxes to qualify for a crucial International Monetary Fund IMF bailout.
Schools cancelled term tests and hospital outpatient departments closed due to the work stoppage involving more than 40 trade unions.
The action came despite a ban on strikes imposed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe last month, and warnings that violators could lose their jobs.
Trade union spokesman Haritha Aluthge said talks with the authorities overnight ended inconclusively forcing them to go ahead with Wednesday’s work stoppage.
Professionals have also joined the trade unions against the sharp increase in income taxes since January.
Unions say the strike duration will depend on the government’s response to their demand to reverse the new taxes, which were among the measures taken to qualify for a $2.9 billion rescue package from the International Monetary Fund.
