President Maithripala Sirisena said the people who engaged in strike actions should think about the rights of the "innocent public" in the same way they think about their privileges.

Addressing a ceremony held at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, today (09), Sirisena said it was not the government that was suffering due to strikes but the innocent people of the country.

 The President also said that the public transport services and the free health service are  not used by the wealthiest people, but the underprivileged sections in the country.

He said the public experienced a "traumatic situation" yesterday when railway workers launched a strike. 

President Sirisena said that anyone can hold discussions with the Government at any time to find solutions for their issues, and said that the present government never "used guns against protesters", like the previous government.