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Standoff again at Weliweriya: People foil move to open factory
The controversial rubber glove factory at Rathupaswela in Weliweriya was yesterday forced to suspend plans to resume operations following fiery protests by the villagers who prevented the workers from leaving the complex amidst a tense situation as armed police took up positions in the area.
Factory employees identifying themselves before villagers. Pic by Tharindu Jayawardane
Hundreds of villagers including women and children who were led by the area vihara’s chief incumbent, the Ven. Theripeha Siridhamma Thera, surrounded the factory and prevented workers from leaving after the factory management announced that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had given permission to resume production on an interim basis until the complex was re-located elsewhere.
Following lengthy talks between the villagers, the factory operators and the police it was later agreed to allow 85 workers to remain in the complex purely to maintain the machines but there would be no production.
A list containing the names of the 85 persons was later handed over to the villagers and towards this end a vigilant committee made up of residents and the Buddhist Priest will monitor the 85 persons entering and leaving the premises, with the assistance of the police.
The management of Dipped Products that produces five per cent of the global non-surgical rubber glove requirement in a statement earlier declared that the President had given the go-ahead to resume operations until an alternative location could be found.
It added that experts who examined the effluent waste from the factory confirmed that it was not responsible for the pollution of the ground water in the area and in the meantime the management had requested the Board of Investment (BOI) to identify another suitable location. Until then it was decided that the factory would continue to operate on an interim basis as advised by the President, the statement added.
The move led to a heated stand-off between the villagers and police personnel who were providing security for the factory and later the workers were locked inside the complex and not allowed to leave. Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anura Senanayake vowed that the factory would not be allowed to resume operations and urged for cooperation from all sides to maintain law and order in the area.
Meanwhile a tense situation prevailed in and around the factory complex yesterday morning after the workers who were leaving the premise were booed and jeered by the villagers. Special Task Force (STF) personnel who attempted to intervene on behalf of the workers were also jeered by the villagers leading to a tense stand-off.
At least three persons including two students were killed and some 50 others wounded on August 1 when soldiers opened fire on unarmed Weliweriya protesters who were asking for clean drinking water and the closure of the rubber glove factory. Since then four senior military officials including a Brigadier have been relieved of their duties and confined to their regiments pending further investigations.
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