Sri Lanka Army on Saturday June 4 forced the kith and kin of Roshen Rathnasekara to allow them to shift the coffin to Roman Catholic Church, Minuwangoda, were the last rites were to be performed. They tightened security in and around the area of Galloluwa and transported the coffin around 8 am to the church themselves, in an unprecedented act of “protection”. Thousands of mourners ranging from factory hands, schoolchildren to friends, relatives and others flocked to the small church from early to pay their last respects as armed soldiers kept close watch. There were soldiers in every inch along the route from the main road.

However, there was a little tension as some friends and relatives of the slain factory worker were outraged at the decision, claimed by the army as a family decision, to start the funeral rites earlier in the morning, when it was originally scheduled start at 3 p.m. Around 10 am, Dr Vickramabahu, leader of the NSSP and the patron of United federation of Labour, with several others including Chamil Jayaneththi, media secretary of the NSSP, arrived at the church premises. Several people complained to him about the state terror launched at the funeral house. He explained that the family has the right to protest against such action. Immediately the commotion expanded and soldiers were seen running in large numbers towards the cemetery side. They were lead by high ranking officers. However special squad of soldiers was seen near the NSSP group watching their movements. Few minutes later Sunil, one of the friends of the family of slain FTZ employee Roshen Rathnasekara and a reputed social worker of the area, explained to the crowd that the army changed their stand as to speed up the funeral service and agreed to take back the coffin to the house. However the family members have said that it would be improper to take a coffin back from the church but the funeral proceeding should be as scheduled with the burial at 4 pm. State forces and the church has agreed to that.

Intimidating organizer

With that victory the media was interested in the views of Dr Vickramabahu. In the press conference held in church premises where several media organizations including local TV stations Sirasa and Swarnawahini participated, he said “Roshen did not die in vain, his sacrifice and the sacrifice of hundreds of others who were injured, made the government retreat. The fraudulent bill has been with drawn. This is a victory for the working masses. He will be remembered with Kannasamy and Somapala, the heroes who died in 1947 and in1980. Both those incidents happened in early June. Now we have three heroes for June remembrance. Even the May Day started with the death of struggling workers. Roshen will be remembered by the workers world over. This struggle showed the power of mass struggle. It is an example to for the oppressed masses both in the south and the north.” At this point, Upali Gunarathne MPC and the SLFP organizer, with several others intervened to disturb the press conference. Upali shouted “Good for you, because you are paid to say all these”. Dr Vickramabahu answered “I never did politics for money; you have come to this position by licking the boots of others. It is your leader who is selling the country for dollars”. Many young workers were nodding and approved what Dr Vickramabahu said and a clash was developing. Those who came with Upali sensed the danger and dragged him away. Dr Vickramabahu explained his position in both Sinhala and in English. Soldiers watched helpless. Sunil and others invited NSSP group to visit the house and encourage the villagers. The group visited the village and explained what happened.

Terrorist is terrorized

The mortal remains of the 21-year-old slain factory youth was buried around 4 pm while the security officers led by SL Army personnel had kept at bay large crowds of mourners led by JTUA leaders and oppositional politicians. JTUA was represented by Linus jayathilaka, Dharmasiri Lankapeli, Amarapala, Joseph Stalin, Anton Marcus and Saman Rathnapriya while the JVP union was represented by Vasantha Samarasinghe. UNP MP Jayalath Jayewardene represented the UNP federation. Dharmasiri told UPU news “over two hundred army men surrounded the coffin and the family members. They were constantly pushing us. It was clear that they were scared of the masses behind us. I could see that they were frightened that the JTUA will break through their net and carry the coffin in to a march out side. Army sent to terrorize us was terrorized by the mass turnout.”

UPU news 5 June 11