by Dilanthi Jayamanne
The Trade Union Alliance for a Just Society (TUAJS) yesterday said that certain extremist groups that contested Monday’s general election had been defeated by the people.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Convenor for the TUAJS, Saman Ratnapriya said the number of votes received by Bodu Bala Sena and extremist Tamil groups comprising former members of the LTTE, had shown that people preferred to live in harmony.
Ratnapriya, who is also the Chairman of the Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA),
campaigned with several other government and private sector trade unions for the victory of the UNP. They also played a major role during Jan. 8 presidential election.
He maintained that they were all apolitical trade unions which had realised the need for a change of government and campaigned for it.
“We were strongly supported by the National Movement for Social Justice and one time President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
He said that it was now the duty of the UNP led United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) to cooperate with President Maithripala Sirisena to help implement the pledges given in the two manifestos.