Rights activists have expressed disgust that a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) affiliated trade union has launched a strike at South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) Private Limited demanding the reinstatement of an employee who has been dismissed for sexually harassing a young employee. 

It is reported that a 23-year-old male employee at South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) Pvt Ltd has been sexually harassed by a senior worker.

When he attempted to lodge a complaint with the Harbour police, he had been turned away, but the employee, however, had reported the incident to the Human Resources Department of the company.

Upon a formal internal investigation, the company has dismissed the 'predator', a 30-year-old senior employee. The investigation, Asian Mirror learns, was carried out by a senior inquiry officer who concluded that the "predator" should be dismissed over the incident. 

Strangely, a JVP affiliated trade union at SAGT yesterday launched a strike demanding the reinstatement of the predator. The union operates under former JVP MP Wasantha Samarasinghe who overlooks private sector trade unions of the party. 

"Appalling that JVP TUs have no qualms about openly defending person accused of sexual harassment. Also terrible that Police discouraged victim from lodging a complaint. President Maithripala Sirisena (Minister in Charge of the Police) and Anura Kumara Dissanayake must take responsibility,"  journalist Roel Raymond tweeted. 

Although Asian Mirror attempted to contact the OIC of the Harbour police to find out why his police station did not record the complaint, our attempts did not bear fruit.