Katunayake FTZ workers skip travel home to vote due to high bus fares

5 May 2025 07:50 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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By T.K.G. Kapila

Colombo, May 5 (Daily Mirror) - Employees of the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are reportedly choosing to remain in their dormitories instead of travelling to their hometowns to vote in the Local Government elections tomorrow (6 May) due to the currently unaffordable bus fares.

At present, approximately 33,000 workers are employed within the FTZ, with a similar number working in factories in the surrounding areas.

Several factors have influenced this decision. Many workers have already spent a significant amount of money travelling home for the New Year holidays just two weeks ago, and with their next salary due on May 10, they are unable to afford another trip.

Although these workers have been granted leave for election day, discussions with them revealed that most have decided to stay in their dormitories.

Had the elections been scheduled during the upcoming Vesak holidays, it is likely they would have preferred to use that leave to visit their hometowns.

Comments - 5

Sokrates Tuesday, 06 May 2025 08:20 AM

Why can't everyone in this country vote in every polling station throughout the country using their polling card and ID, as is possible in Germany? There you don't even need a polling card, just an ID. Here, senseless, costly and time-consuming migrations of peoples take place, just like in the Roman Empire in the time of Jesus.

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Kandaih Balendran Tuesday, 06 May 2025 02:23 PM

Few oligarchs have become super rich while the workers remain in poverty.

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Lol Tuesday, 06 May 2025 09:25 AM

Ha ha the very people who voted so enthusiastically for the Pacha sevaya! Dan sapada??

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Sam Tuesday, 06 May 2025 10:58 AM

It is a total waste to go home to vote. All employees where I work are just taking leave and not voting. Some have gone on trips!!. Time to modernize.

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Paul Cole Tuesday, 06 May 2025 11:32 AM

from jan. to may there are many holidays which severely effects the economy by the start-stop nature of the workers going on holiday, etc..the government should seriously look at this matter, if the country is to develop at any significant level..!!!

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