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Vets want particular Zoo union actions probed

25 Jan 2022

  • Allege denial of water/food to animals
  • Warn of TU action seeking conducive environment for DG, vets’ safety   
The Government Veterinary Officers’ Association requested the relevant authorities to conduct an investigation into the alleged destructive actions of certain employees attached to one union at the National Zoological Gardens Department, following trade union (TU) action by the Sri Lanka Podujana National Zoological Gardens Department Employees’/Workers’ Association (Dehiwala) last week.  “The workers who were involved in the trade union action last week engaged in a number of destructive acts, including deliberately trying to deny water and food to the animals at the Dehiwala Zoo. There has been no legal action taken against these actions, nor has there been an investigation conducted into them, but they have returned to work this week. We request a proper investigation into their actions and warn the authorities that if such an investigation is not done, we will have to take our own workers’ action against this,” Government Veterinary Officers’ Association President Dr. S.H. Piyasiri told a media briefing held on 23 January.  Dr. Piyasiri stressed that the workers who were involved in the trade union action last week had threatened the wellbeing of both animals under the care of the Department, and that of other workers. The Sri Lanka Podujana National Zoological Gardens Department Employees’/Workers’ Association (Dehiwala) initiated trade union action and protests last week against National Zoological Gardens Department Director General (DG) Shermila Rajapaksa’s decision to halt the transfers of allegedly inefficient veterinary surgeons, which were approved by the former DG Ishini Wickremesinghe, and over the increase of the risk allowance for workers. Rajapaksha has temporarily stepped away from her duties as DG, and has informed the Government that certain workers involved in the trade union action had made deliberate attempts to harm animals and had threatened the lives of workers who had not supported the trade union action. Thus, she has requested a thorough investigation into the incidents and to inform her as to whether there is a suitable environment for her to continue her duties within 14 days. Speaking at the same media briefing, Government Veterinary Officers’ Association Secretary Dr. Nuwan Gamage said that after the DG temporarily stepped away from her duties, there is “anarchy” at the department.  “Right now, this small number of employees are scolding other employees and threatening veterinary surgeons. Day before yesterday, a stone had been thrown at the house of the veterinary surgeon at the Ridiyagama Safari Park. If these kinds of actions continue, we will have to remove our officers for their protection. Conduct a proper investigation within one week and create an environment where the DG can report back to duty. We have also written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about this,” said Dr. Gamage.  Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Podujana National Zoological Gardens Department Employees’/Workers’ Association (Dehiwala) also claimed that the management at the Department is mishandling the public viewing of the newly born lion cub (Dora) at the Ridiyagama Safari Park. However, Rajapaksa assured The Morning over the weekend that the public are not allowed to pet Dora.  The Sri Lanka Podujana National Zoological Gardens Department Employees/Workers Association (Dehiwala) halted their trade union action on 21 January, following discussions at the Presidential Secretariat.

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