"Go slow" pernicious act - CJ

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday extended the two interim orders that restrained 14 trade unions and its membership from engaging in any "Go Slow" type activity that would hamper the day-to-day operations of the Colombo Port. The order would be valid till November 27. Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC referred "go slow" activity as a pernicious act committed against the whole country. He noted that the whole country had to suffer because of the strike country also lost billions of rupees.

The court extended the interim order preventing respondent trade union membership from threatening or intimidating employees and preventing them from carrying out their duties.

Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardane for petitioners the Joint Apparel Association Forum, its Chairman Ashroff Omar, and Acting Secretary G. Ariyarathne, moved to extend two interim orders on the basis that the respondents union had only temporarily suspended their "go slow," like activity.

The petitioners filed the Fundamental Rights application in the Supreme Court against the strike of the Colombo Port employees. They stated that the action was illegal since "go slow" activity was not a legitimate trade union action hampered day-to-day operations of the Colombo Port out one which imposing huge loosing in the billions of rupees to the apparel exporters the Government and the people as a whole and was in violation of their rights.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC and Justice Nimal Dissanayake and Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga.

Counsel Upul Jayasuriya and S.H.A. Mohamed for the respondent trade unions raised objections to the extension of the interim orders since the employees had called off their trade union action and had resumed work at the Colombo Port.

The Counsel also submitted that "Go slow" was infact a legal trade union action recognised by the International Conventions related to Labour Laws and moved to vacate the interim orders.

The Supreme Court earlier ordered the IGP to deploy the Police and the Armed Forces to ensure the trade unions and their membership comply with the two interim orders that had restrained them from engaging in any "Go Slow" like activity that would hamper the day-to-day operations of the Colombo Port.

The petitioners cited the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), its Chairman and Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera, 13 trade unions including the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and the Attorney General as respondents.

Sanjeewa Jayawardane instructed by Binara Gunasekera appeared for the petitioners. Sudath Perera appeared for the Ports Authority, its Chairman and Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The application would be mentioned on November 27. Upul Jayasuriya and S.H.A. Mohamed appeared for respondent trade unions.

The hearing was fixed November 27.