Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing a gathering in Badulla on the weekend said the government that was established with the mandate of the people could not be toppled by trade union action.

He said that if the trade unions obstructed the government from fulfilling its mandate, it the government too would retaliate.

“People gave a mandate at the Presidential election in 2015 and at the General Election same year. If this government is defeated what will happen to the problems prevailing in the country?”, he questioned.

While thanking the public servants who did not support the recent countrywide strike, the Prime Minister said trade unions in the public as well as in private sector should try to resolve their issues through discussions.