Trade Unions warn Government over attacks on SLRC workers

The Government was yesterday warned that it would have to face a general strike if it failed to initiate an immediate investigation into attacks on Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation employees, bring the culprits to book and also take action against Minister Mervyn Silva and his goons who, on December 27, last year stormed the SLRC and assaulted its News Director.
The warning was issued by the All Ceylon Trade Union Federation.
In a statement issued yesterday, signed by its General Secretary, JVP Parliamentarian Piyasiri Wijenayake, the ACTUF said the attacks on Rupavahini employees were not isolated incidents and were being carried out with intention and purpose while the Government’s inaction had given it a boost. "It baffles us as to why the President, who at times makes personal telephone calls to members of the public and intervenes in certain matters, is mum on this matter. It makes us believe that the Government has given its tacit approval for unlawful acts."
The statement referred to the token work stoppage at the Rupavahini Corporation by five trade unions on Thursday afternoon and the intense trade union action planned from Monday, March 10.
It also recalled recent incidents where unidentified men had gone to the homes of Duleep Dushyantha on January 29 and cameraman Piyal Ranjith, on February 28 and threatened them. It also pointed out that on January 25, producer Lal Hemantha Mawalage was stabbed and most recently, earlier this week, Librarian Ranjani Aluthge was attacked with a sharp instrument inside a bus when on her way home after work.
The Union also said all these incidents unfolded after the attack by Minister Mervyn Silva on December 27 where he entered the Rupavahini premises with some thugs and assaulted the News director.