Stalin reads riot act to Rajapaksas; countrywide protests from tomorrow

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Sri Lankan trade unions will commence a countrywide series of protests, from tomorrow (20), demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, representatives of 50 trade unions that marched to Galle Face, in support of the anti-government protestors, said on Saturday (16.)

Joseph Stalin, General Secretary Ceylon Teachers’ Union, one of the main unions representing teachers in state schools, said that the unions would start a countrywide protest campaign from 20 April demanding that all Rajapaksas resign.

“If you don’t leave, we will have to kick you out. As workers, we have come together. By next week, we will carry out a series of protests and union action to force the government to step down. Working people are asking the Rajapaksas to go home” Stalin said.

Dharmasiri Lankapeli, Convenor of Federation of Media Employees’ Trade unions said that the President was trying to save his skin by reshuffling the Cabinet.

He alleged that the President had left his home, in Nugegoda, and was living in the Panagoda Army Camp.

“Some of the other Rajapaksas are leaving the country. One of them left the country on Saturday morning. The end of the regime is near. The President can’t escape by changing the Cabinet,” he said.

Udeni Dissanayake, Chairman of the All-Ceylon Management Service Officers’ Association, one of the largest public trade unions, said that unions would hold a national protest on 20 April. It would be followed by continuous protests, strikes and other union action. “The Rajapaksas must be made to understand that the people are ready for a proactive struggle”, he said.

“On 20 April, the Unions will get serious about getting rid of the Rajapaksas. It’s the first big national protest. We must unite and ensure that the President can’t wait it out. There must be protests across the country and ensure that continuous pressure is applied to all government MPs. They still have a majority in Parliament, but they must be made aware of what the people demand,” he said.