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Post polls not so peaceful
By Chris Kamalendran
The recently concluded Parliamentary elections have gone down as one of the most peaceful polls in recent history with relatively few incidents of violence. But the post poll period has been marred by harassment of opponents, who are still being forced to stay away from work.

Some of these workers say that the public appear to be unaware of these cases of harassment while the newly elected government either acts as if it is unaware of these incidents, or in some cases appears to be giving a free hand to affiliated trade unions to continue using indirect methods to keep their opponents away from work.

The Sunday Times learns that one employee had died of a heart attack after he was allegedly harassed while many others have been assaulted, injured or forced to carryout acts against their wishes such as worshiping the photograph of the President or put up posters of her.

Some employees of state institutions including Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka Central Transport Board, Mahaweli Authority, MILCO and state media organisations are reportedly staying away from work since the April 2 elections for fear of reprisal attacks. They have either applied for annual leave, medical leave or in some cases even no pay leave just to avoid being harassed at work. These workers say little is being done about their complaints.

In one incident a senior officer attached to the CPC was allegedly assaulted in the head office by a group of employees affiliated to the SLFP. "When I reported to work after elections, a group of about 12 including an employee who was suspended for producing a forged educational certificate, stormed my room and ordered all the female employees to leave the place. The suspended employee who was a labourer sat on the chair opposite me and put his legs on the table.

Thereafter he picked up a tea cup and threw it at me. After that the rest got together and assaulted me," Internal Auditor, Gregory Fernando told The Sunday Times. The labourer was one of 70 people who had been suspended for producing forged educational certificates to gain employment he says. Mr. Fernando says although he has lodged a complaint with the Kollupitiya police, and CPC's Chairman and Human Resources Manager, he is still afraid to return to work.

In another incident a fireman attached to the Peradeniya CPC distribution centre had to seek medical treatment after he was allegedly beaten up. He had lodged a complaint with the Police. However he had not been able to report to work until Friday and has now been served with a vacation of post letter. Another 15 workers are reportedly under threat at the Peradeniya distribution centre.

At the Kolonnawa distribution centre a worker affiliated to the UNP's Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya had allegedly been assaulted on the first day he returned to work after elections. The next day when a group of workers had allegedly tried to assault him again he had taken a broken bottle and stabbed one in the group.

The victim was hospitalised while the worker had been arrested. At least 10 more incidents involving attacks on employees have been reported from Kolonnawa and some workers have stayed away from work. At Sapugaskanda and Anuradhapura CPC stations too there had been similar reports of intimidation.

Meanwhile CPC Chairman, Jaliya Medagama confirmed that there were reports of such incidents and he would take up the matter with trade union leaders. Incidents of harassment have also been reported at state run Transport Boards with many employees not being able to report to work for the past three weeks.

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