Trade Unions and Professionals Announce Joint Protest Against Proposed Anti-Terrorism Legislation

The National Federation of Trade Unions and Professionals has announced plans to stage a major joint protest in Colombo on November 6, opposing the Government's proposed anti-terrorism legislation.

The protest will take place at 3.00 p.m. in front of the Fort Railway Station, with trade unions, civil society organisations and political parties invited to participate.

Speaking at a media briefing on November 1, former MP Saman Rathnapriya said the Government had come to power after making numerous promises but had so far failed to fulfil many of them.

He claimed that the Government was introducing the proposed legislation because it anticipated difficulties in dealing with future trade union struggles and protests.

Rathnapriya described it as ironic that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which he said had suffered significantly under previous anti-terrorism laws, was now seeking to introduce legislation with even broader powers.

He said the organisers intended to brief all Opposition political parties on the matter and called on trade unions and civil society groups to join the November 6 demonstration.

Chinthaka Bandara, Convenor of the Postal Trade Union, also criticised the proposed legislation, saying JVP members had previously been among those most affected by the existing anti-terrorism laws.

He questioned the Government's attempt to introduce legislation with what he described as even greater powers, arguing that it would undermine workers' rights.

Bandara further claimed that proposals being implemented under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme included plans to reduce the size of the public service, with similar measures affecting semi-government institutions.

He argued that trade union action could obstruct the implementation of such measures and suggested that this was one reason behind the proposed legislation.

He called on workers across the country to unite against what he described as an infringement of their rights.

Meanwhile, Anandha Palitha, spokesperson for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya's Joint Trade Union Centre, raised concerns about the possible impact of the proposed law on public criticism and trade union activities.

He referred to fuel price increases and taxation, claiming that under the proposed legislation, individuals who publicly criticised Government decisions could face arrest and detention.

Palitha alleged that the proposed law could allow a person to be detained for up to 72 hours initially and potentially for as long as two years without being brought before a court.

He also warned that the legislation could affect media organisations reporting on issues such as fuel price increases.

Palitha stressed that trade unions were not seeking political subservience to any party but wanted to use their collective strength to oppose measures they believed would harm workers.

He further claimed that implementing the proposed legislation could place Sri Lanka's GSP+ trade concessions at risk.

He said the trade unions were not seeking to overthrow the Government but were demanding the withdrawal of legislation that they believe would suppress workers and trade unions.

Other participants at the briefing included Priyantha Pathberiya, Bandula Saman Kumara, General Secretary of the Podujana Progressive Trade Union, Udeni Dissanayake, Thusitha Perera and Dr S. Ramesh.