The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK has listed Sri Lanka as a country of concern in the field of workers’ rights.
In its report Sri Lanka - country of concern: update 31 December 2014, as published 21 January 2015, the FCO reported that groups exercising their right of assembly continue to face challenges. Protesting fishermen were pelted with stones, resulting in three being hospitalised. Two union leaders were allegedly subjected to assault by unidentified groups on 25 October. The Free Trade Zone and General Employees Services Union, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, noted “it is clear that our trade union leaders are being suppressed systematically”.
Posters vilifying leading civil society figures organising an event to commemorate the disappeared were discovered on 25 October, and stones were thrown at the residence of Brito Fernando, the chief organiser of this event.
On 22 December 2014, students protesting over education rights were reportedly attacked by police. The students attempted to storm the University Grants Commission gates, and were initially dispersed with water cannons and tear gas, but were allegedly seriously assaulted, with 28 students being hospitalised. Student unions claim that it was “a disproportionate response”.