All CEB unions will join strike says LVSS

The JVP affiliated Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya (LVSS) last week said all CEB trade unions would join the general strike on July 10, but added it could not comment on the possibility of a total blackout.

LVSS Convener, Ranjan Jayalal said that he could not comment on a total blackout on the day, as the LVSS was still awaiting a positive response from the government.

"I cannot comment on the issue right now. We cannot cut the power and go to the streets. We cannot do so. But, it will be very difficult if all of us come to the road. Only a few hundred engineers will be working islandwide," he said.

Jayalal added that leaders of a few independent trade unions would not take part in the strike due to their connections to the ruling party. "But the members will join the strike," he said.

He also said that civilians would face difficulties when there were problems with electricity, as the regional offices would be closed and would only reopen the following day.

"These kinds of problems are there. We are still working on how to manage these issues. But, we will definitely go through with the strike."

Meanwhile the All Ceylon Transport Services' Union (ACTSU) said that it requested the private bus owners to provide full cooperation to the general strike.

"We still haven't received any feedback to the request. But there is time," ACTSU Secretary, Sepala Liyanage said.