Sri Lankan workers have gone on strike in defiance of a government ban to protest against a rescue plan for the bankrupt island nation, forcing the closure of some hospitals, banks and ports.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing a public backlash over steep tax hikes and spending cuts imposed to secure a sorely needed International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.
About 40 trade unions, including government hospital staff and bank employees, stopped work on Wednesday.
Wickremesinghe used his executive powers on Tuesday to effectively outlaw strikes by compelling “essential services” to remain at work, and government workers defying the order risk losing their jobs.
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