The All Ceylon Health Service Union (ACHSU) yesterday protested, opposite the Health Ministry, against the assault on a member in the Ministry branch, by a member of the Health Service Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA).

Deputy General Secretary of the ACHSU Gamini Kumarasinghe told The Island that the Ministry branch of their union delivered a leaflet about the new

salary circular in the Ministry. "Our member, U. S. C. Weerasinghe was assaulted by Sunil Fernando, who is an activist of the HSTUA Ministry’s branch. The HSTUA member was under the influence of liquor at that time," he charged.

"This worker has been punished several times for such activities. This time this drunken man attacked our innocent member. We asked the Ministry to conduct an immediate inquiry against this worker," Kumarasinghe said.

President of the HSTUA Saman Rathnapriya denied the allegation. He said he was not aware of the incident and did not know the person.

"The HSTUA’s Ministry branch has no such activist. This is false allegation. Our union is the major trade union in the health sector. They are trying to mislead the members and workers," Rathnapriya said.