SLPP, SJB and UNP workers unite

The government cannot turn a blind eye to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) disclosure of waste, corruption and irregularities at Sri Lanka’s premier investment agency, trade union sources say.

The Communication Department of Parliament Thursday afternoon issued a damning report on the Board of Investment (BoI) following a meeting the parliamentary watchdog committee had with the BOI’s top management headed by its Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala on the same day.

The COPE underscored the urgent need to take remedial measures, a senior spokesperson for the Progressive Workers’ Union Commercial and Industrial Services told The Island yesterday (12).

In spite of making representations to the government at the highest level, the union affiliated to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) couldn’t prompt immediate intervention, the union official said.

According to him, altogether six trade unions including those affiliated to the SLPP, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) have pledged their support at a meeting held on Sept 19.

The BoI comes under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa whereas State Minister D.V. Chanaka is responsible for site development.

Trade Unions representing the BoI recently discussed ways and means to address the embarrassing profligacy at the state agency, relating to various projects, sources said. The COPE exposure couldn’t have come at a better time, they said.

The trade union collective called for urgent intervention pointing out that the all-party group chaired by Prof. Charitha Herath, also of the SLPP questioned the rationale in the BOI decisions to spend over Rs 3 bn on two Export Processing Zones (EPZs) at Milleniya and Bingiriya, under controversial circumstances.

COPE should act on its findings, the trade unions said, urging political parties represented in the watchdog committee to push for remedial measures, the trade union collective said. However, they expressed concern over the government ignoring the important Parliamentary Committee’s findings.

Trade unions said that the report issued by the Communications Department of the Parliament hadn’t dealt with some crucial matters, though from time to time they took up contentious issues with the government. Referring to the recent recruitment of 29 management level persons at a much higher salary scale at a monthly cost of Rs 20 mn and allocation of about Rs. 76 mn to refurbish available offices at the World Trade Centre for the newcomers’ use, trade unions alleged even the basic infrastructure development and repairs had been neglected.

The trade unions also questioned the outsourcing of work currently undertaken by the BoI to outsiders at a very heavy cost to the state enterprise. As part of their overall strategy, the unions have launched a campaign to educate the BoI workers of the developments and what they alleged were attempts to enter into agreements with private organisations for the benefit of the latter.

Trade unions pointed out that unlike many other state enterprises, the BoI hadn’t asked for Treasury assistance as it was financially stable. But, relentless and reckless spending could cause a catastrophe, trade unions said, calling for urgent action.

They also alleged manipulation of the cabinet of ministers by those managing the BoI now.