Sri Lanka heading towards military-led governance, trade unions claim
Sri Lanka appears to be marching towards militarisation and the stage has been set for this with military officials being assigned various administrative districts while also serving as secretaries of some of the most vital ministries, a trade union leader said on Thursday.
Sylvester Jayakody, General Secretary, Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU), made this comment at a media briefing by five major trade unions in Colombo, saying this was amply demonstrated by the Army Commander, Shavindra Silva stating that “all May Day Rallies would be banned”.
Mr. Jayakody said that by the army commander announcing the ban, it implies that Sri Lanka appears to be under military governance, clearly indicating that the civilian rule in the country is disappearing and the military is emerging as a key figure.
The briefing was held to discuss the Colombo Port City (CPC) Bill which is the subject of petitions filed in the Supreme Court challenging its constitutionality. The five trade unions are among a host of petitioners challenging the bill.
He said that it is clearly visible that according to what is now taking place, there is a sinister attempt to completely militarise Sri Lanka, and as trade unions and people’s protection bodies, they would be rendered with a massive task of defeating this ugly move.
He said the bill violates the Constitution and violates the fundamental rights of the people and the workers. The establishment of the CPC would create a separate state and there would be separate laws applicable to it indicating that there would be two laws in the country.
Over the years trade unions of this country meticulously fought and won several rights of the workers, but Mr Jayakody said that if the CPC is set up most of these workers’ rights would vanish.
Anton Marcus, Joint Secretary, Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union, said that the government was eternally indebted to foreign countries on the pretext of developing the country but the country has come to a point of no return unable to pay back the massive loans obtained.
He said that the yardstick of development is how much that development reduces the heavy cost of living of the people. He said that time and again the labour laws have been amended to satisfy investors but that has not helped to increase employment or improve workers conditions.
He indicated that the more the investors adhere to the labour laws of the country, the better for them since when they act according to labour laws the workers would be happy, content and satisfied and thereby with a satisfied labour community the investor establishments would be secure in the long run.