It is unfair to find ways to deny them employment to the workers at the Hambantota Port, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, adding that even UNP supporters work there.

He said that he spoke on this matter with President Maithripala Sirisena. The President promised to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister, Rajapaksa said.

The protesters are demanding that they be made permanent employees of the SLPA. On December 10, the navy was called in to disperse the protest. The Navy has taken over operations at the port.

The government said that it was establishing a public-private-partnership with a Chinese company to develop the port. Work will begin in January, the government recently said.