TU support vital for democracy in North-East - President

COLOMBO: The support of the trade unions and all segments of society is vital for the Government to continue with its programme to establish democracy in the North and the East and liberate the people from the clutches of terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Addressing trade union leaders and their representatives at Temple Trees, the President said the Government has already taken initiatives to establish democracy and ensure the democratic rights of the people in the East by liberating areas like Vakarai from the clutches of Tiger terrorists.

The President made these observations when he was informed that the Security Forces had captured Vakarai when he was meeting trade union leader yesterday at Temple Trees.

The President pointed out that trade unions should resort to strikes as the last option as doors are always open for them to settle their problems by discussions.

"Resorting to strikes in an unnecessary manner will be a severe blow on the entire working class," the President added.

The meeting was held to obtain trade union assistance to achieve industrial peace in 2007, to provide solutions for the fair demands of the working class and to educate the trade unions about the Cabinet Sub Committee and the Review Committee. The programmes under Mahinda Chinthana were also discussed at this meeting.

President Rajapaksa said he was confident that trade unions would extend their support for the Government to continue with its development programmes.

Ministers Athauda Seneviratne, Nimal Siripala de Silva, John Seneviratne, Duminda Dissanayake and Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana also participated at this meeting with trade union leaders.