SLC removes trousers of Hambantota ground staff

Temporary workers contracted as ground staff for the One Day International (ODI) Series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe which concluded yesterday in Hambantota were subjected to the humiliation of having to strip off their Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) trousers prior to being paid their salaries.  

The workers, mainly local youths from the area, had been contracted for a daily wage of Rs.1000 to work as ground staff during the ODI series, which concluded at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium yesterday.

After the conclusion of yesterday's fifth and final ODI, the workers had been lining up to collect their pay, when SLC officials informed them that they would need to hand over the trousers inscribed with the SLC logo that they were wearing if they are to get their salaries. 

Workers said they had not received any prior notice of the need to hand back their trousers and many of the 100 ground staff contracted on temporary basis had not brought an extra pair of trousers with them. As such, they were subjected to the humiliation of having to strip off their trousers and collect their pay in their undergarments. 

Many of the workers expressed their disgust at being subjected to such treatment by SLC officials.

Story and Pix by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi in Hambantota

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