Protests continue in Colombo

Colombo (News 1st): Groups comprising Project Assistants and those who lost their jobs at the National Housing Development Authority and the Department of Archaeology staged protests outside the Presidential Secretariat today (Feb 11). A tense situation arose when the protestors comprising Project Assistants staged a protest demanding to reinstate them in service. Tensions flared when they had attempted to block the Galle Face road. Individuals who had lost their jobs after being recruited on contracts at the National Housing Development Authority staged a protest at the Agitation Site near the Presidential Secretariat. They demanded to grant permanent employment to around 2400 individuals who had not been recruited as permanent employees for more than three years. Individuals claiming to have lost their jobs after being recruited on a contract basis at the Department of Archaeology also continued their protest today. The group had been staging their protest since last night. The President's Personal Secretary Sugeeshwara Bandara met with the protestors this afternoon. He noted that the President had previously stated that employees would be provided without any political differences, under the government's special program to provide 100,000 jobs. He added that these protesters are continuing their protest despite making such remarks and the President asked him to make a pledge on behalf of him stating that their unemployment issues would be resolved under the special employment program. He said the President will not give written undertakings, therefore, this problem will not be solved by remaining here. The President's Personal Secretary left the location by informing the protesters to convene for a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat. The protestors which included Project Assistants and those who lost their jobs at the National Housing Development Authority called off the protests after being promised a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow.