Ex-colleagues lash out at JVP

Hemanthi Guruge

Minister Wimal Weerawansa	Piyasiri Wijenayake

National Freedom Front Leader and Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday lashed out at the JVP saying it should take the sole blame for the incident at Katunayake where an innocent FTZ employee was killed when workers clashed with Police.

‘The JVP was clearly the agent provocateur and it was able to achieve its objective in securing a dead body,’ Minister told the Daily News.

An innocent person was killed during the clash between the protesters and the Police. ‘The objective was to portray a bad picture of Sri Lanka in the eyes of the world,” he said.

He said a large number of persons who were not employees of the FTZ had invaded the protest campaign and these were henchman of the JVP leaders. About 15,000 FTZ employees took part in the previous protest campaign against the Private Sector Pension Scheme without incident.

‘The government which has a two third majority could pass any Bill if they want but the Government is always willing to listen to the trade unions,’ he said.

Former JVP Parliamentarian Piyasiri Wijenayake severely condemned the JVP for instigating the FTZ protest. A large number of the JVP cadres were among the protesters.

He said the JVP was formenting violence in the country according to the dictates of foreign forces.

Wijenayake said the Inter Company Employes Union affiliated to the JVP was clearly behind the incidents adding that it was attempting to achieve its objectives over the dead bodies of the working class.

We appeal to the public not to fall prey to the JVP’s activities and gimmicks.