The Ceylon Bank Employees Union (CBEU) has directed its members in all banks to refuse handling of Seylan Bank cheques as a mark of protest for dismissing one of their trade union leaders Mahinda Jayaweera from the service of the bank.

In a press release, Union General Secretary M.Sukumaran said that this decision will be implemented with effect from a date decided by the union in case Mr. Jayaweera is not reinstated. He added that the management of Seylan Bank had deprived its employees of the freedom of association guaranteed by the Constitution.

The majority of the employees of the bank have decided to ask the CBEU to find a redress to their grievances including a reasonable salary, specific duty hours, leave facilities and job security. Mr. Jayaweera was requested by the management to receive a payment as an inducement and resign from the bank.

He refused to agree to this request and was dismissed from service with immediate effect.
The union on Friday held a picketing campaign opposite the Fort Railway station and Seylan bank branches across the island in protest of the victimisation. .