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JSS boss’s son for Geneva conference; seniors protest
View(s):Senior members of the Jathika Sevaka Sangama (JSS), the trade union wing of the United National Party (UNP), are questioning the selection of a junior member to represent the union at the International Labour Oraganisation (ILO) conference in Geneva later this month. They said the selection of Gayan de Mel, son of JSS General Secretary Sirilal de Mel, was a bad choice since the youngster was not an active member of the union and also lacked the experience to participate at an international forum.
They claimed that the selection was done in an arbitrary manner with little or no transparency and the membership got to know about it only when arrangements were being made to get a visa. However the JSS chief Sirilal de Mel defended the decision to send his son for the Geneva conference saying he needed such an exposure.
“In the past dozens of senior JSS men were sent for international conferences and a change in pattern would not damage the image of the union or even the party,” Mr. de Mel said. He said his son was currently actively involved in youth activities of the JSS. The ILO conference is to continue for some 21 days and each participant is given a per diem allowance of US$ 400 to cover travel, food, accommodation and other expenses.
The JSS seniors said that the expenses of the Sri Lankan delegation led by the Labour Minister S.B. Nawinna were borne by the Government. The team consists of hand-picked senior state officials, employer representatives and trade union members. The annual ILO meeting draws up conventions on employment and labour related issues. The JSS seniors said there would be added focus on Sri Lanka owing to the change of government and fresh policies.