Aug 16, Colombo: Transport sector trade unions in Sri Lanka have written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa calling on him to take steps to resolve salary issues of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) employees.

The All Ceylon Transport Workers' Union (ACTWU) has written that SLTB employees in the Kekirawa and Dehiaththakandiya bus depots are faced with a severe salary issue.

Secretary of ACTWU, Sepala Liyanage has noted that the employees have resorted to trade union action demanding salaries for the past two months.

He has explained that an employee of the Kekirawa depot had on a previous occasion tried to commit suicide when he has not received 2008 November salary.

He has observed that three employees of the Kekirawa depot have now climbed onto the roof to protest and win their demand for the payment of salaries.

According to Liyanage, the Dehiaththakandiya employees have decided not to report to work until salaries are paid.

He has noted that steps needed to be taken to address these issues.