• Chairman held hostage by some workers

By Yohan Perera

A tense situation erupted at the State Engineering Corporation yesterday morning as its chairman was held hostage by some workers. 

The workers told the media that they held Chairman Ratnasiri Kalupahana hostage as their salaries were not paid last month. 

He was held hostage on the sixth floor of the building. A worker who did not wish to be named told journalists that they were not paid salaries on time and this had frustrated them. "Our salaries were late and we are yet to be paid this month's salary. Therefore we were frustrated. Also those who hold top posts in our institution do not possess right qualifications," he alleged.

Chairman Kalupahana claimed he was held hostage by some workers who were  politically motivated but the security officers had prevented them from entering his room.

Chairman Kalupahana claimed he was held hostage by some workers who were  politically motivated but the security officers had prevented them from entering his room