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Alick demands stop to protests

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

With the divisional secretaries issuing the government an ultimatum of January 1 to take action against Kalutara District UNP MP Lakshman Wijemanne for his alleged assault on the Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretary, P.D. Siriwardane, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Alick Aluvihare has appealed to stop disrupting work as the matter is being inquired into and disciplinary action is being taken against the MP.

Aluvihare, speaking to The Sunday Leader, said that protests were uncalled for as Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a three-member committee to probe the incident.

He further said that it sets a bad precedent as other sectors too could take arbitrary decisions and disrupt work in the same manner. "Action is being taken. They should call off their protests," said a disturbed Aluvihare who accused that protests of all kinds aimed at disrupting work were becoming a fashion these days.

In this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Administrative Services Union has announced that they would hereafter boycott all functions attended by politicians and refrain from carrying out their various orders. The association enjoys a membership of 308 divisional secretariats.

While the union pledges tough measures if stringent action is not taken against the MP by January 1 with islandwide protests in collaboration with other trade unions, Premier Wickremesi-nghe too has set an early deadline for the committee probe the incident.

A retired Supreme Court judge heads the committee and former Public Administration Ministry Secretary, Dixon Nilaweera and Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry Secretary, S.K. Liyanage comprise the rest of the committee. The committee, sources explained, has also been instructed to recommend measures to create a climate conducive for public servants to work without fear of reprisals.

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