REFUGEE

Lake House sources said that the Chairman was trying to take over the power of the Workers Association at Lake House by trying to remove its current Secretary Dharmasiri Lankapeli at the Association’s election on the 27th.

At the election of the SLFP trade union at Lake House held recently, the group put forward by the Lake House Chairman was defeated by a group supportive of Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa. However, the Chairman managed to gain control of the union by giving various perks and privileges to its President W.M.P.A. Dassanayake, Vice President Dhammika Kulasiri and Assistant Secretary Leslie Andrew.

The Lake House Chairman had recently called the Workers Association President Athula Dharmasri at his residence

and had promised to grant him any favour if he worked to remove Dharmasiri Lankapeli from the Association. The Chairman had also said he would support Athula Dharmasri if he contested for the post of Secretary along with Dharmasiri Lankapeli.

However, Athula Dharmasri has not responded to the Chairman’s telephone call.

Workers Association Secretary Dharmasiri Lankapeli filed a Fundamental Rights case in the Supreme Court against the Lake House Chairman claiming he unduly interfered with him and his union work. The Supreme Court on the 7th decided to hear the case.

Sources further said the Chairman was trying to oust Dharmasiri Lankapeil and replace him with Athula Dharmasri and then make him withdraw the case filed against him by the Association in the Supreme Court.