Authorities ignore our demands National Zoological Dept.TU

By H.M.Dharmapala   

General Secretary of National Zoological Department Trade Union Federation 

W.A Wickremesinghe told the media that the authorities had not shown any positive response to their protest held on July 4 on two main demands.   

He said the ministers in charge of the subject in successive governments had agreed to grant the trade union’s demands, but the senior officials of the department ignored it much to the anxiety of the employees.   

“Increasing of the risk allowance from Rs.2,500.00 to Rs.7,500.00 and the attendance allowance from Rs.1,500.00 to Rs.2,500 are our main demands. Our other demands are to prevent corruption and malpractice and to streamline the activities of the Dehiwala Zoo, and to improve the facilities in the zoo to conduct breeding in a natural habitat. The main office of the Dehiwala Zoo has been shifted to a building in Wattegedara in Maharagama on a monthly rent of Rs.400,000. There are full of concrete erections inside the zoo preventing a natural surrounding for the animals to breed freely. Several animals are physically weak and not in a position to breed”, he said.   

Trade Union Representatives of several trade unions including President of the All Ceylon Zoological Garden Employees’ Union M.A.Dharmatilleka, Convenor of the Hambantota Safari Park Employees Union addressed the media conference.