May 23, Colombo: The proclaimed trade union strength of Sri Lanka's Marxist People's Liberation Front (JVP) came under serious scrutiny with yesterday's failure of the token strike of hospital workers, called by the JVP-affiliated All Lanka Health Workers' Union.

The strike, called by the JVP trade union against the introduction of finger impression machines to monitor attendance, failed yesterday as the powerful trade unions in the health sector did not support the strike.

The Health Services Trade Union Alliance, Government Medical Officers’ Association, Public Service United Nurses’ Union and Republic Health Services Union did not support the strike, allowing hospital services to continue uninterrupted.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health accused the JVP trade union activists of conducting sabotage in some hospitals, causing damage to public property.