Protests are expected to intensify with opposition political parties, trade unions and civil society organisations warning they would take to the streets over the massive increase in fuel prices and resultant increase in prices of essential items.

JVP affiliated National Trade Union Enter (NTUC) convener Samantha Koralearachchi said yesterday they had organised a series of protest campaigns to demand a substantial wage increase for public, private and estate sector employees who could not cope with soaring cost of living.

“We have organised lunch-hour protests today, tomorrow and the day after at the Government Press, Sri Lanka Railways Head Office, Colombo National Hospital, Kalubowila and Sri Jayawardanapura Teaching Hospitals, Lake House roundabout and the Ratmalana Water Board as a means of sending a stern warning to the government,” Mr. Koralearachchi said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)