Sri Lanka crippled by strike by trade unions

Colombo: The trade unions in Sri Lanka on Friday launched a crippling island-wide strike to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government over its inability to tackle the economic meltdown which has caused unprecedented hardships to

the public.

Sri Lanka's government has been facing a wave of protests around the country with an increasingly furious public demanding its resignation.

All trade unions of health, postal, port and other government services have joined the strike.

However, several pro-ruling party trade unions have declined to join.

Businesses remained shut and roads appeared empty in most usually crowded areas.

Over 2,000 trade unions are joining us. Still, we will provide urgent and emergency services," Ravi Kumudesh of the Joint Trade Union Action group said.