Colombo - A strike of public sector employees called by the Marxist party failed Thursday to paralyze the country as planned.

The Marxists People's Liberation Front (JVP) hoped up to 200,000 public servants of the 1.1 million government sector employees would strike, crippling transport, health, port and the education sectors, however, most services were operational without a serious disruption.

The government had argued that the trade union action would help the Tamil rebels whom they said were on the verge of being defeated by a strong military campaign underway in the northern part of the country.

In the capital posters sprung up overnight saying the strike would benefit the Tamil rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Earlier Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told parliament that the strike would demoralise the security forces who have made significant gains in the war front by recapturing some of the rebel-controlled areas in the north.

The JVP backed trade unions were demanding a minimum salary increase of 5,000 rupees (46 US dollars) per month for public servants to compensate for the rising cost of living.

The labour groups argued that one reason for the high cost of living has been the ongoing war against the Tamil rebels as the government spends nearly one fourth of the annual budget for security.

The government has also urged Sri Lankans to fully cooperate to defeat terrorism and not to distract the security forces who are engaged in military operations in north.

The government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has recaptured rebel-held areas in the east and are now focused on taking control over areas in the north including strongholds of Kilinochch and Mullaitivu where the leadership of the Tamil movement lives.

According to Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka more than 9,000 rebels and 1,700 soldiers have been killed since 2006, but the opposition has disputed the figures of the rebel causalities.

There is no independent confirmation about the casualty figures given by the military. (dpa)