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H'tota Port employees have no legal docs to validate employment: Minister

12 December 2016 10:14 pm - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Some 90% of the port employees who were protesting at the Hambantota Port had been appointed by the ‘Nil Balakaya’ youth organisation headed by MP Namal Rajapaksa during the previous regime, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said today.

Addressing a news conference at the Ports and Shipping Ministry, the minister said the employees had never been made permanent during the Rajapaksa government.

“These employees had no legal document issued to validate their employment. I personally visited the employees at the port and briefed them about the actual situation of their employment. Most of the employees were recruited to the Magampura Harbor and the harbour had been established as the Magampura Port Management Company (MPMC)," he said.

“After the government came into power, we have given permanent appointments to 88 employees who were on contract basis. Their employment probation period had been completed by November 11 this year. Now those employees were appointed as permanent employees under the MPMC,” the minister said.

“These people are today requesting permanent appointment to the Ports Authority. There was no such promise made by this government or the previous government to appoint MPMC employees to the Ports Authority. According to my knowledge there are political forces operating behind them and that force is from the previous regime and they don’t like to give them a permanent job,” he said.

The new institute the ministry plans to set up in collaboration with the Chinese company and the Ports Authority will provide permanent employment opportunities and it’s a government institute, the Minister said.

"The people from the previous regime are trying to destabilize the employment status in the ports Authority. We cannot take any responsibility over their employment because they had caused a huge damage to government property during the protest," he said.

“If I make a new company tomorrow, I will not take any of these employees because they are still influenced by the political forces and they cannot be trusted,” minister Ranatunga said. (Chatruanga Pradeep)


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  Comments - 14

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  • Ahmed Monday, 12 December 2016 10:47 PM

    Good decision. Even to consider, first need rehabilitated them.

    Cool Monday, 12 December 2016 11:28 PM

    Which balakaya appointed you as a minister and in turn you appointed your brother as chairman of ports authority.

    Dinesh Tuesday, 13 December 2016 01:07 AM

    There is a point in what the Minster says. How can anyone trust theses people? Especially looking at their past conduct and the manipulation by their political masters.

    Lanka Perera Tuesday, 13 December 2016 01:17 AM

    They just want this an excuse to enter the ports authority and get a free govt job....politically appointed. All govt employees should oppose this.

    sam Tuesday, 13 December 2016 01:33 AM

    whatever it is these people have been working in the POrt for over 4 years and they have families etc, why don't you give them an oppotunity to join expanding ports operations or get them to Join to Chinese firm, it is very sad to see them cry to get a job, and Navy Head should be sacked for his low behavior he is not suited for the job, if they damaged the port that is not good either

    Manel Tuesday, 13 December 2016 01:34 AM

    Typical Rajapaksha attitude to hoodwink everyone including their supporters.

    nick Tuesday, 13 December 2016 03:08 AM

    it doesnt matter whether they are nil kola or rathu balayaka they are Sri Lankan protect their jobswhen u sell the port to China nothing guarantee for their job all seems to be looting in maga scale now...first Bond scam & the rest continues... via DM Android App

    ari Tuesday, 13 December 2016 04:02 AM

    This is a very funny comment from the minister. Employees are not hired on their affiliation to any political party but on the merit of their skill set. If "trust" is the primary factor in hiring government employees, each time there is a change of government, all government employees should be replaced on grounds of allegiance to the previous government.

    Don Tuesday, 13 December 2016 05:29 AM

    We knew it before you said it. Keep up the good work. via DM Android App

    Harry Tuesday, 13 December 2016 05:56 AM

    Were you sleeping all this time?

    Anton Tuesday, 13 December 2016 11:46 AM

    Minister is right; these protesters are not Sri Lankan. The only Sri Lankans who are working in the port are the late recruiters. What a funny minister

    ali Tuesday, 13 December 2016 04:56 PM

    Protesting employees were wrong, and the minister is right. However, it is the SL Ports Authority that entered into the agreement with Chinese investor on behalf of SL Govt, should have considered this much in advance. And not after all these ugly incidents took place

    ali Tuesday, 13 December 2016 05:14 PM

    Minister is talking about what their contract says. This of it as a private company being sold for loss makings

    J J Tuesday, 13 December 2016 05:52 PM

    What ever protest give them their jobs for their families


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