Injunction order on Telecom TUs

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO: Colombo District Judge Aruna C. Ranasinghe yesterday issued a permananent injunction restraining 18 trade unions of Sri Lanka Telecom Limited from remaining in the company premises while engaged in trade union actions and damaging the company property and preventing the employees from working who were not willing to engage in trade union actions.

The court issued the permanent injunction ex-partie against 18 trade unions when the respondents failed to appear before the Court. The case was filed on January 8.

The Court issued the order as a result of the plaint filed by the Sri Lanka Telecom Limited before the Court citing 18 trade unions including Telecommunication Officers Federation and Post and Telecommunication Officers Federation stating that they were threatening the employees who did not participate in trade union actions.

The petitioner stated that the 23 trade unions demanded a 30 percent salary increase and an allowance of Rs. 3000. As a response to the demand the petitioner agreed a salary increase with effect from September 1, 2006 but the trade unions objected the decision.

Petitioner also stated that respondents proclaimed a trade union action from week commencing after January 5. The petitioner stated that if the respondents sabotaged the property of the petitioner as a result of the trade union action it would affect severely the every day life of the public.

President’s Counsel Nihal Jayamanne, Attorneys-at-Law Noorani Amarasinghe, Uditha Collure, Dilhan de Silva and Mokshini Jayamanne appeared for the petitioner instructed by Sudath Perera Associates.