UNP laments Govt. inaction on political victimisation

• Says no action by authorities despite multiple appeals
• Alleges politically-motivated transfers rife 
• Says efforts to meet President to raise issues unsuccessful  

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday expressed their dissatisfaction at the Government’s inaction regarding political victimisation in State institutions. 

UNP Parliamentarian and convener of trade unions Palitha Range Bandara yesterday alleged that there has been no action taken on the issue despite multiple appeals. Bandara pointed out that he had raised the matter with Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne in a letter dated 27 November, which included a number of Police complaints lodged by victims. 

“Each day the Government is escalating the political victimisation,” he said, alleging nearly 1600 Information Technology (IT) technicians working for Sathosa had been told not to report for work last week. He insisted that the technicians were hired following proper procedure and were qualified to hold the post. 

The allegations were made at a press conference held at party headquarters and was also attended by Parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma.  

Bandara had informed the Secretary of Defence regarding 167 employees of the State-run Ceypetco were being barred from entering their work sites and being harassed by different groups. He had called on Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Gunarathne to direct the Police to investigate the matter and to end the intimidation.  

Addressing the press, Bandara claimed that pro-Government trade unions were intimidating the said employees and threatening them not to return to work. He expressed concern about the livelihoods of those affected, and pointed out that many families will be affected if the matters are not resolved soon. 

“There is also an increase in politically-motivated transfers, which have been not been made in accordance to the relevant regulations or circulars,” he said, pointing out that many such transfers had taken place in the National Transport Board during last two weeks. Both parliamentarians were concerned about the mental impact on those affected due to the sudden unemployment.  

“We tried to meet the President, however we could only meet a private Secretary to the President,” he said, pointing out that neither the President nor Secretary to the Ministry of Defence has taken any action on the matter yet. “There has been no intervention, no action yet. The people who voted for the Government did so expecting law and order to be upheld,” he added.  Thewarapperuma charged that many Police officers have been transferred out of their areas of operation without due process being followed by the National Police Commission. He stressed that it was to the credit of the previous Government that such independent institutions were set up, but said he was concerned about the sudden rise in transfer rates. 

Both MPs called for quick action to stop political victimisation.