Rumble in the Dehiwela jungle

Suranjith Perera Dehiwala Mt. Lvinia Group Corr.

Police were called into the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens yesterday to defuse a tense situation which arose due to a dispute between the Acting Director and workers belonging to a certain trade union.

The gardens was closed to the public till 12 noon yesterday due to this situation. On hearing of the incident Sports and Public Entertainment Minister Gamini Lokuge rushed to the scene and brought about an amicable settlement between the management and workers.

Minister Lokuge said that he gave a patient hearing to the worker grievances and promised to grant their salary increments soon. He will take steps to absorb casual labourers into the permanent cadre as soon as possible.

He said that police have been asked to make a full investigation into the incident. However, the Ministry would take suitable action against a few errant employees who had been responsible for the whole episode.