Parliament access blocked : Protest by Grama Niladharis

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Sri Lanka United Grama Niladari Union carried out a protest blocking the main access road to the parliament complex. As a result of this protest, several parliamentarians had to enter the parliament under police protection. The police had to intervene to control a heated debate that broke out between MP Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa and the protesters. United National Party parliamentarian Aanshu Marasinghe also had to face similar opposition from the protesters. The Parliamentarian agreed to take 5 representatives into the parliament premises to discuss matters and give a solution. Speaking to the media, President of the Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Union, R.M.D.B.Rathnayake claimed that they have to work according to about 150 different laws and that regardless of what government comes to power that they all use them to get their work done and cast them aside. He claimed that although MP Anshu Marasinghe had agreed to take five representatives that they had taken them to the door of the parliament and turned them away. He further warned the government that if they decide to treat the Grama Niladharis in such a manner that they will have to face repercussions. The organizers of the protest cited 17 unresolved problems relating to the Grama Niladari service including the service constitution. Grama Niladaris from administrative divisions across the country participated in this demonstration. The main access road to parliament was closed temporarily due to the protest.