Opposition employees victimised - culprits roam free

By a Special Correspondent

Hundreds of employees in state sector organizations have been politically victimized, while some have been transferred to various departments without any valid reason, while still others have been prevented from reporting for duty.
According to reports from several districts and from what’s gleaned by documents forwarded by several organizations, the escalating post election-related violence directed by certain individuals in various government organizations to take revenge through politically motivated acts on opposition activists, is continuing unabated even three weeks after the completion of the January 26 presidential poll. This disregards President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s appeal to UPFA supporters to desist from any form of violence against opposition party supporters.
The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) charged that some UPFA employees working in lower ranks in many government organizations are currently on a witch-hunt against opposition supporters attached to the public sector.
Accordingly, 162 workers in the ports authority have been transferred; over 100 members of the Lanka Teachers Association have also been transferred. It is alleged that about 50 CTB employees have been harassed. In addition employees at the government printing corporation, education ministry, health ministry, BOI, the state Engineering Corporation and National Youth Centre have been interdicted and given transfers on the basis of “service requirements”.
The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) also charged that these acts of vengeance are continuing in the transport sector as well, with opposition activists being singled out for attacks both verbally and physically, especially in the CTB.
The NTUC also alleged that an office in Pettah which belonged to the All-Island Lanka Transport Board had been set on fire, destroying all the documents within. They charge that due to this alarming situation over 400 workers have not been able to report for duty.
Another institution where pro government elements had attacked employees supporting the opposition is the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, where its management plans to issue compulsory leave orders to over 100 workers.
Sources also specifically pointed to alleged attacks on workers at CPC installations in places like Anuradhapura, Muthurajawela, Sapugaskanda, Badulla and Kandy.
Among several other institutions where opposition activists have fallen foul of the government have been the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Milco Private Limited and the National Trade Union Centre where all progressive forces have been urged to join hands in an effort to defeat these despicable acts.