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JSS, CTB refute President's charges

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday stated it had been brought to her notice that employees in the State and private sector had been coerced into participating in today's Jana Bala campaign by UNP unions and that CTB buses had been commissioned to transport participants free of charge.

However, General Secretary of the Jathika Sevaka sangamaya Sirinal de Mel contacted by the Daily News denied the charge stating that no pressure had been brought on any employees by his Union to participate in the Janabala Meheyuma. "Employees who desire to participate in today's campaign will have to obtain official leave. We cannot pressurise employers to grant them `duty leave'. The President's chargers are unfounded and we are not surprised since similar allegations have been made by her without any basis."

Meanwhile, Chairman of the CTB U.L.M.Farook said he has instructed all bus companies to not to release any buses for the Janabala Meheyuma free of charge.

"We cannot afford to release buses for events such as these because of the financial position of the bus companies. If any CTB employee who wants to participate at today's event he has to get leave. There will be no free bus rides and duty leave for any CTB employee," he said.

Farook said that the SLFP owes the CTB Rs.3.7 million after hiring buses for the Party's annual convention in 2001. Another, Rs.1.8 million is outstanding for buses hired by the SLFP for their May day rally in 2001, he said.

The President in her statement also said schools had been ordered to close early while the Free Trade Zone employees had been told that their participation was compulsory.

The President notes that forcible recruitment of workers for participation in political rallies was a violation of International Labour laws while closure of schools for politically-oriented activities would damage children's education..

The statement issued by the media Secretary of the Presidential Media Unit Janadasa Peiris states that although the Jana Bala campaign is held under the slogan " Peace and Democracy" what really is taking place was an assault on democracy and a threat to peace.

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