Trade union members in Colombo demand release of Ceylon Teachers' Union leader

by Vennila
Aug 5, 2022

Picture Credits: @JDSLanka on Twitter

Hundreds of trade union members led by Coalition of Trade Unions & Mass Organisations protested in Colombo on August 4, demanding the release of General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Union Joseph Stalin and all anti-government activists arrested by Sri Lankan police. 

Leading trade unionist and Ceylon Teachers Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin was arrested on August 3, and was earlier remanded in judicial custody until August 12 after being brought before Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage. 

As he was brought to the residence of Colombo Fort magistrate Thilina Gamage, dozens of trade union activists gathered outside the premises in a show of solidarity. 

Protestors in the Northeast similarly staged demonstrations calling for the release of Joseph Stalin. 

Stalin was involved in protests demanding the resignation of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in recent months. His arrest follows consecutive arrests of other protest leaders under the presidency of newly appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has detained leading activists to those who simply participated. 

 

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