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Armed soldiers forcing CPC employees to act against their will – Unions

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/30

Armed forces were called in yesterday to ensure a continuous supply of fuel. CPC trade unions on Tuesday launched a continuous strike following the government' decision to privatise a large section of the fuel retail market. Pic by Sujata Gamage

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government was threatening petroleum workers and forcing them to work against their will, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) trade union leaders said, protesting against the deployment of the police and the military in CPC premises.

CPC unions on Tuesday withdrew from issuing fuel in protest against the government’s decision to privatise a large portion of the retail fuel sector. The government called in the military to ensure the supply of fuel.

Despite disruptions, fuel supply had returned to normal by yesterday evening, the government claimed.

President of the Public Progressive Workers’ Association, Bandula Saman Kumara, said that they had stepped forth to protect the CPC knowing well that their jobs would be on the line.

“We have been sent on compulsory leave and banned from entering our workplace. We will not betray our struggle and Minister Kanchana must understand that the CPC is not his property,” he said.

Saman Kumara said the unions were against the sale of national assets and concerned about the jobs of CPC workers.

“The workers have decided to report to duty but they will not work,” he said.

CPC General Employees Union President Ashoka Ranwala said it was the government that compelled them to resort to union action.

“The minister didn’t even give us a hearing. The government has called in thousands of armed soldiers and they are intimidating the CPC workers. They have gone to the houses of CPC workers and forced them to return to work. However, this will not end well for anyone,” he said.

Twenty CPC workers including several union leaders had been sent on compulsory leave for disrupting the distribution of fuel, Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera said, adding that they would not be allowed to enter any of the CPC premises.

“We have also asked the CPC and law enforcement agencies to take disciplinary and legal action against these individuals. I called in security forces to ensure the distribution of fuel and that they dispatched 458 bowsers of petrol and 393 bowsers of diesel.

Those who have been sent on compulsory leave are B.G.D. Dilan Gamage, Premanath Gamage, Samika, Bandula Saman Kumara, Asoka Ranwala, S.M.C.S. Chinthaka Gunasekara, M.A.S.W. Nishantha, R.A. Ranathunga, S.M.D.J. Wijegunaratne, P.N.Perera, U.E.G. Sanjeewa Priyadarshana, H.U.K. Serasinghe, D.S. Dheeraka Balasooriya, G.H. Niluka, S.D. Jayantha Paregama, S.D.S. Sarda Dissanayake, U.D. Palitha, S.H.R. Virajith, Damith Priyantha and R.A.C.S. Ranaweera.

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“We will not make decisions for rural level schools while sitting in Colombo” – PM

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that aligning with the development activities carried out under the new education reforms, decisions at the rural level will not be taken from Colombo and plans should be sent based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees. She further noted that all officials, from the Ministry of Education down to the school level, must commit to working efficiently and with a human-centered approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Hambantota District on Thursday [February 12] at the auditorium of the Hambantota District Secretariat regarding the new education reforms and prevailing issues in the education sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister provided an opportunity for education authorities including chief prelates of pirivenas, zonal education directors, teacher advisors, and principals to present the challenges they face and officials raised concerns including salary disparities among principals, developing school infrastructure, issues arising from the division between national and provincial schools, and uplifting pirivena education.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister stated:

“The new education reforms were initiated from 2025 through dialogue, consultations, and the collection of necessary data. As officials, you have extended your support to us during this process. We have embarked on a difficult and long journey, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

We initiated these reforms in response to a strong social demand. Many have attempted such reforms at different times. Within our political vision, we understood clearly that if this country is to be rebuilt, an educational transformation is essential. The human resource is the most valuable resource of this country and it should be nurtured properly.

Solutions to many of the crises our country faces lie within the education system. Addressing the issues in economic challenges, social issues, drug abuse, violence, the breakdown of political culture, corruption, waste, and even the deterioration of human relationships all lie within the education.

In order to achieve the transformation we envision as a government, that an education transformation is necessary.

This education system should focus on reducing the pressures within the system, minimize school dropouts, increase employability, and instill confidence in children about their future.

There are disparities within the school system, between rural and urban schools, national and provincial schools, and difficult schools. This should not happen. All children must have equal opportunities.
⁣
Decisions regarding the establishment of schools or expansion of classes should not be political decisions. They must be decisions taken through Structural Committees. Those representatives understand their divisions, village economies, and population dynamics. Based on your decisions and assessments of needs, prepare the plans, discuss them with the District Coordination Committees, and submit them to us. We will then take steps to provide the necessary allocations and other support. We will not make decisions for the rural level while sitting in Colombo.

We are taking steps to minimize salary disparities. A Cabinet paper regarding the salary anomalies of principals has already been prepared for submission. Steps are also being taken to introduce new reforms in pirivena education through the Pirivena Committee of the Ministry of Education. We require the support of the chief prelates in this regard.

A significant number of teachers turn to human rights due to delays caused by inefficiency. Therefore, all officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools must commit to working efficiently and in a humane manner”

The discussion was attended by Chief prelates of pirivenas, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, zonal directors, principals, and other education sector officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya valid from 06:00 hrs on 13.02.2026 to 06:00 hrs on 14.02.2026

Accordingly,
Level II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya district.

Level I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathahewheta in the Kandy district.