The UNP will appeal in court against the special gazette notification issued by the Public Service Commission to prune the rights of public sector employees, Chairman of the UNP and Kurunegala District MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said yesterday.

The propaganda campaign launched by the Government that it had decided to suspend the controversial gazette notification on public servants could not be taken seriously, MP Perera said at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo.

The gazette notification announced that the services of public sector employees would be terminated if they failed to pass an efficiency bar test in three tries. The Public Service Commission issued this gazette notification few days ago, but later government politicians said it had been cancelled. This was only an eyewash to secure votes in forthcoming provincial polls, MP Perera said.

The Public Services Commission issued a Gazette notification No 1589/30 dated February 20, 2009 announced measures which impose restrictions on recruitment to the public service. Under the new system employees who sit the efficiency test better known in the public service as the "Efficiency Bar" test will be given three opportunities to sit the exam to qualify and gain promotions. Failure to qualify would mean their services would be terminated on the grounds of inefficiency.

The same scheme will be applicable to new employees who fail to pass the examination. In another move to curtail the number the employees entering the public sector, casual employees will have no claim for permanency.

The PSC has also moved to curtail the rights of trade unionists. According to the latest Gazette notification, the scheme of releasing workers for trade union activities for an unlimited period has been suspended.

MP Perera requested public to rally behind the UNP to ensure the protection of their working and trade union rights.

General Secretary of the Confederation of Public Service Independent Trade Unions, J. M. L. R. Jayasundera also addressed the press.