img A large number of Sri Lankan employees launched a strike on Wednesday to express their opposition to a rescue plan for the bankrupt nation, which the government banned, resulting in the closure of hospitals, banks, and ports. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing a public uproar over the significant tax hikes and budget cuts imposed to secure a much-needed International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. About 40 labor unions, including government hospital staff and bank workers, participated in work stoppages. Electricity workers, bank tellers, and dock workers also protested against the government's actions. Wickremesinghe used his executive powers to make it illegal for essential services to go on strike, and government employees who defy this order risk losing their jobs. Union leaders say that they were told that reducing income taxes is not possible because it is a requirement for the IMF to release the bailout package. Sri Lanka's unprecedented financial cris...