Unions say the strikes will continue until the government responds to their demand to reverse the new taxes.
Ranil Wickremesinghe government did not give a clear reason for the move, but his office, in a statement, said his address to lawmakers on February 8 will announce new policies and laws.
Local government elections scheduled in February will be a test of the popularity of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who replaced ousted leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka's parliament passed a constitutional amendment with two-thirds majority aimed at trimming presidential powers and beefing up anti-corruption safeguards.
Rajapaksa touched down in Colombo seven weeks after he fled the extraordinary protests triggered by an economic meltdown that many lay at his feet.
On July 13, the ousted leader, his wife and two bodyguards left aboard an air force plane for the Maldives, before traveling to Singapore from where he officially resigned. He flew to Thailand two weeks later.
The former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa had a 90-day visa to remain in Thailand, but opted to return with his wife, a bodyguard and another aide.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew into Singapore from the Maldives on July 14 after fleeing a deepening economic crisis and widespread protests in his home country, and tendered his resignation shortly after his arrival.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai says the current Sri Lankan government supported Gotabaya Rajapaksa's trip to Thailand, adding that the former president's diplomatic passport would allow him to stay for 90 days.
Sri Lanka's government is preparing a policy framework to be presented to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and international creditors, as it seeks a way out of its worst economic disaster.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe aims to form an "all-party government" to battle the economic crisis that led to months of lengthy blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine in Sri Lanka.
Deal with International Monetary Fund pushed back to September due to protests that ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa, says new President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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