Tense situation reported at State Engineering Corporation office

29 April 2021 12:56 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A tense situation arose at State Engineering Corporation this morning as the chairman of the institution was held hostage by the workers.

The workers told the media that they held Chairman Ratnasiri Kalupahana hostage as their salaries were not paid last month. He was held hostage on the sixth floor of the building.

A worker who did not wish to be named told journalists that they were not paid salaries on time and this had frustrated them. "Our salaries were late and we are yet to be paid this month's salary. Therefore we were frustrated. Also those who had top posts in our institution do not have any qualifications," he said.

Chairman Kalupahana defined that he was held hostage by workers by some of the politically motivated workers who tried to get into his room. However, the workers were prevented by the security officers present.

"This is nothing but a political propaganda motivated by interested parties. There were slight delays in paying salaries as the state institutions which we have done projects for had delayed payments. We managed to pay salaries to all those who are working in various construction sites but we could not pay the salaries to the staff in the head office this month. However we will pay the salaries immediately," he said.

Mr. Kalupahanhana denied that those who are holding top posts are not qualified. “ I am a qualified lawyer and a former banker and my Deputy is a qualified Engineer. Also this was an institution which was running at a profit but the situation has changed during the Yahapalana government as funds had been wasted during that time,” he added.

Health officials including the MOH Colombo Central Dhammika Adikariwasam who rushed to the scene said there have been no breaking of quarantine laws by the workers as the gathering was cleared within a short period. “ However we advised them not to behave in the manner in which they did as it could result in a further spread of COVID 19,” he said.

The Daily Mirror learns that health officials rushing to places where a large number of people gather is a norm during the pandemic period. (Yohan Perera)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 13

varuna Thursday, 29 April 2021 01:05 PM

Where are the 6.9 million wise voters who brought "Sar" and his clan back to power? They thought that the Rajapakse's would create a "Kethumathi Rajadhaniya" (Kethumathi Kingdom) in Sri Lanka!

Lawry Thursday, 29 April 2021 01:15 PM

We have no news.

Thimothy joseph Thursday, 29 April 2021 01:25 PM

Is he another Army fellow... Or someone who knows the job

RoarigCreek Thursday, 29 April 2021 01:54 PM

Nice! Do some engineering on the Chairman.

Wasantha Thursday, 29 April 2021 02:01 PM

Have special forces been deployed? This is great opportunity to show heavily armed Sri Lanka military people to foreigners.

Man Thursday, 29 April 2021 02:23 PM

What tension under Chinese rule of American?

Terrence Thursday, 29 April 2021 03:50 PM

Coming colours no good in every sphere of Sri Lanka life

Andy Silva Thursday, 29 April 2021 04:19 PM

Spot on

VJ Thursday, 29 April 2021 05:16 PM

What’s the problem? Has the money printing machine broken down?

Kumara Thursday, 29 April 2021 06:08 PM

Sir Fail....

Sambo Thursday, 29 April 2021 09:04 PM

Every failure of the ministers and ministries are credited to the "Yahapalana" government. How conveniently said and done.

peter Friday, 30 April 2021 09:15 AM

why? was there a delay in the Chinese minister to arrive with the salary money

Ranaweera Friday, 30 April 2021 02:07 PM

Protest , protest until the country is again fallen into the hands of former yahapalana politicians. Then all criminals , drug dealers can thrive again.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Tense situation reported at State Engineering Corporation office

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand