The JVP yesterday condemned the Navy’s actions and alleged threats made to a journalist who was reporting the protest held at the Hambantota harbour, JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetthi said.
“The Navy has also allegedly assaulted port employees who staged the protest campaign at the Hambantota Port premises demanding that the government to make them permanent in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. We vehemently condemn this kind of action,” Handunnetthi said.
“We urge the government to take every measure to ensure that punishment is meted out to those responsible and to establish a safe working environment for journalists in Sri Lanka, MP Handunnetthi said addressing a media briefing yesterday.
“The strike action at the Hambantota Port is justifiable as the workers launched it to win their rights. The former government had deceived them when they were recruited to the Hambantota Port. They have been recruited as temporary employees to a private company and not to the Ports Authority. Therefore, these workers are not considered as Ports Authority works and we urge the government to recruit them as permanent employees,” he said.
“We also oppose the government’s privatization of the Hambantota port which will lead to the loss of jobs of these workers,” he added.