Minister Alavi Mowlana was a great trade unionist. During the long years spent in the opposition, he had fought many a battle on behalf of the working class of this country. In the early and mid eighties he had to undergo harassment and suffering under the fascist UNP regime. Therefore once in power one could have reasonably expected him to be totally unselfish and work tirelessly to improve the lot of those who fought with him. The expectation was even more when he assumed the high office of Minister of Labour.

However to our astonishment and disgust we find that he is no better than most of other politicians in power. As per the supplement to the Greater Colombo Telephone Directory 2001 (on page 11) his personal staff are as follows:-

Alavi Mowlana: Minister of Labour, Naqueeb Mowlana (son): Private Secretary, Najeeb Mowlana (son); Co-ordinating Secretary, Azil Ali Mowlana (son): Co-ordinating Secretary Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Rizad Mowlana (son): Public Relations Secretary.

All these gentlemen are entitled to official vehicles, air conditioned offices in the Ministry and all other perks enjoyed by close relatives and cronies of those who are in power.

Perhaps Minister Mowlana would like to respond to this poser!
Tilak Karunaratne
Leader/General Secretary
Sihala Urumaya