Politics shut out Nugegoda Janatha Pola Union chief

For representing some of his victimised members at a media briefing on Wednesday the chief of the Eksath Velanda Sangamaya of the Nugegoda Janatha Pola has been mercilessly and undemocratically shut out from his livelihood.

UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday alleged that the head of the traders’ union P.W. Pathirana had originally received a stall but was present at the press conference which the Opposition parliamentarian held to expose the political victimisation of some of the other legitimate and longstanding stall holders depriving them of their livelihood.

After the traders union chief’s picture was splashed in the media including the Daily FT’s front page along with Dr. de Silva, the padlocks of the former’s stall at the Janatha Pola had been forced open and replaced with new ones yesterday.

Dr. de Silva alleged that this was a dastardly act, a compliant of which had been lodged with the Mirihana Police last night and the Police were investigating the complaint.

“Pathirana was representing some of his Union members who had lost their livelihoods, as an act of solidarity.  Victimising him for it is highly undemocratic and immoral,” Parliamentarian Dr. de Silva told the Daily FT.

At his media briefing on Tuesday Dr. de Silva, who is also the Head of the Campaign Committee of the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, alleged there had been gross political interference in allocating shops at the upgraded Janatha Pola making 25 traders going out of business resulting in loss of livelihood and distress to their families.  These traders out of the original 172 stall holders have proof that they have been at the Janatha Pola for over 20 to 35 years.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa along with a plethora of Ministers, MPs and politicians on Tuesday officiated at the opening of the new look Janatha Pola in Nugegoda which was refurbished at a cost of Rs. 131 million.