Sunil Jayawardena laid to rest; trade unions demand justice

COLOMBO (News1st): The final rites of a trade union leader who was killed over a leasing installment issue, were held in Kesbewa on Sunday. Sunil Jayawardena, 53, was killed while appearing for a three wheel driver whose vehicle had been seized after failing to settle a leasing installment. He was the Chairman of the Lanka Self-Employed Professionals' National Three-Wheeler Federation. Many people including political leaders, public representatives and civil activists, paid their final respects to the trade union leader today. Meanwhile, trade unions held silent protests demanding justice over Jayawardena's incident. The United Three Wheeler Owners Association, the All Island Inter District School Children Transportation Association, and the Three Wheeler Drivers Association staged protests in many parts of the country. The protesters condemed the murder of Jayawardena and also urged authorities to end the leasing mafia in the country.