Thousands of people have begun to throng the streets of major towns out of Colombo as today’s all island strike called by the trade unions kick off.
People in Kandy, Matara, Bandarawela, Matale, Haputale and Tangalle are among those who have started their localised strike action already.
A coordinator for the strike Ravi Kumudesh said a march from the Technical College junction in Maradana, Colombo started a short while ago.
According to initial reports the strike has crippled the functioning of State and private offices. Streets in many towns were seen to be empty.
Some 1000 trade unions are expected to be a part of today’s planned strike. Kumudesh said it’s the biggest trade union action so far in the country.
The Trade Unions have given President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government a one week ultimatum to step down. If they don’t, the trade unions have said they will strike continuously until they step down. 
