It has been now revealed that the letter sent by the Government Printer Gangani Liyanage to the Election Commission requesting the money spent on printing ballot papers is the result of the pressure applied on her by the trade unions of the UNP led by Ranil Wickremesinghe, the SJB led by Sajith Premadasa, the SLFP led by Maithripala Sirisena and that of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The leaders of those unions have informed the Government Printer Gangani Liyanage that the members of their trade unions will support the printing of ballot papers only if adequate security is provided for the printing of ballot papers and they are paid after printing the ballot papers.
However, it is also reported that the trade unions of the JVP and several other independent trade unions have agreed to carry out the printing of ballot papers under any circumstances. However, under the influence of the union leaders of UNP, SJB, SLFP, and Pohottuwa the Government Printer has arranged to send a letter to the Election Commission asking them to give the relevant money before printing the ballot papers.
In all previous elections, the Election Commission paid the money to the printing press after the relevant printing work was completed. However, this time, due to the influence of the trade unions, the relevant money has been requested before the printing work is done, and the Government Printer is also working to give the ballot papers to the Election Commission when the money is paid.
Nihal Chandrasiri, President of Podujana Trade Union of Government Press, and Nuwan Buddhika, Secretary of Rajya Seva Samagi Trade Union Federation, told the media that the Government Printer is on their side and that she is presenting the demands of their trade unions.
