Bala Tampoe, one of the heroes of the trade union movement
View(s):Trade unionism today is dying in Sri Lanka. Most of the purported-to-be great TU leaders have persistently betrayed their cause, while there are only a few leaders who still fight or fought for their comrades.
Among them was staunch veteran Bala Tampoe of Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU) fame who fought for the workers until he died recently at the age of 92 years. His faithful supporters still pay homage to their defender of worker rights.
This picture is displayed in front of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation at Vauxhall Street. There are several other such pictures displayed in honour of this great TU leader in front of other large workplaces. Pic by Quintus Perera