05 May 2017 | 11:42 AM UTC
Sri Lanka: Nationwide strike and protests on May 5
Health, education, and transport sector workers hold a strike on May 5; transportation and traffic disruptions possible
Event
Several trade unions in the health, education, and transportation sectors have called for a national strike to take place on Friday, May 5, beginning at 08:00 (local time) in protest against actions taken by the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITIM) and private medical colleges. The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) will ensure that the strike does not risk patients' lives and has guaranteed that all maternity and children hospitals will operate normally.
Context
Railway drivers and guards will join the strike, while private bus workers, station masters, and railway controllers have opted out. Transportation and traffic disruptions are thus possible, as well as increased demand for alternative means of transportation (e.g. official and ride-sharing taxis).
Advice
As a precautionary measure, individuals present in Sri Lanka are advised to avoid all demonstrations and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities; violence may flare up at demonstrations without warning.
