Top Trade Union Leaders Released On Bail

Top trade union leaders, including Saman Rathnapriya, Joseph Stalin and R.B. Sirisena, were released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage, when they were presented before courts on the charges of violating a court order pertaining to the May day rally of the Joint Trade Union Alliance. 

Despite a court order, the Joint Trade Union Alliance attempted to hold a May Day rally at Hyde Park on May 01. The Colombo Fort Magistrate issued the court order after considering a complaint filed by BOC workers union whose May Day rally too was to take place at the same location. BOC union stated said they reserved the venue first for the May Day rally after paying money to the Colombo Municipal Council. 

Trade union leaders were released on a Rs. 500000 surety bail each. 

While ordering the release of trade union leaders, the Magistrate also stated that the Police could have taken preventive action, before trade union leaders violated the court order. 

The next hearing of the case will be on July 14.