The SLFP trade union of the Port was a powerful trade union that conducted a determined campaign in the past against the corrupt and the corruption within the Port during the ‘nefarious decade’ of the Rajapaksa brigand. Owing to their resistance and protests against corruption a large group of them were dismissed from their posts during the Rajapaksa era. It is only after Maithripala Sirisena became the president injustice meted out to them by the previous regime was remedied. Now, they joined hands with other Trade Unions against the Minister and the Chairman.
Prime Minister met representatives of all the trade unions of the Ports authority at the Temple Trees on 11th April 2016, to resolve issues raised by them. Ministers Arjuna and John Seneviratne were also present with the P.M. Representatives in one voice requested the prime minister to remove Minister Arjuna Ranatunge from his ministerial post as well as Arjuna’s brother Dhammika Ranatunge from his Chairman’s post. They alleged that owing to the unqualified, unsuitable siblings being given appointments, the Ports authority is fast moving towards disaster.
Accusations were levelled by the trade union representatives against the minister and his relatives that they are maintaining a ‘dictatorship’ within the Port. The representatives charged that after opening a massage center within the Port, the mistresses and paramours of Ranatunges are being appointed to high positions. Hence the representatives were opposed to the administration of the Ranatunges within the Port. Therefore all the unions in unison urged that the minister and his chairman be expelled forthwith.
The P.M. responded by asking them to be patient until the Sinhala New year is over, to take a decision.
