Oct 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) affiliated National Trade Union Center (NTUC) has organized a week of protests starting Monday (22) to demand a salary hike for the working people in the 2013 budget.

NTUC Head and JVP politburo member K.D. Lalkantha told ColomboPage that the protests that would commence on the 22nd from Colombo will be held in all main cities in the country.

He said the protests in Colombo will be held outside the Maradana Railway Station, National Hospital, Government Printer's Department, Inland Revenue Department and several other places.

He said the workers would protest against the increase in the rising cost of living and the government's failure to grant pay hikes in line with the increase in the cost of living index.

"The cost of living has increased by Rs. 21,052 since January 2006 till August 2012. The government has so far managed to pay only Rs. 7,609.50. We are now demanding that the remaining Rs. 13,442.50 be paid to the workers through the 2013 budget," Lalkantha said.

He added that the NTUC would also carry out a series of seminars to create awareness among the people about the current economic conditions in the country.