Trade unions, civil organisations protest former president Rajapaksa’s nomination

Several trade unions and patriotic movements yesterday staged a protest against giving nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the forthcoming election.

The protest organised by the Purawesi Balaya organisation was held this afternoon outside the Colombo Fort Railway Station.

Hundreds of protesters carrying placards and shouting slogans demanded that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa not be allowed to contest the upcoming General Election.

The protest was attended by several citizen groups and a collective of trade unions.

President Maithripala Sirisena gave the nod for the former president to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections on 17 August under the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) ticket.