Version imprimableNeil Wijetilakayan, who was seventy-eight years old at the time of his death, also worked as the secretary of the United General Workers Union.
Niel was a well-known trade union leader in Sri Lanka. Having worked on a casual employee basis for many years, the employees of the Cultural Triangle and the Road Development Authority workers won the struggle for permanent service as semi-public service, with his leadership
In his left politics, he worked together with the Fourth International recent leaders such as Ernest Mandel, Pierre Rousset (ESSF), and Éric Toussaint. Comrade Niel had long-term experience as a political teacher of left-wing revolutionary politics in Sri Lanka. As Secretary representing the Sri Lanka Section of the Fourth International, the Socialist People’s Forum, he was engaged in global left-wing politics in his lifetime.
United Socialist Party Secretary Siritunga Jayasuriya, Srinath Perera, Frontline Socialist Party leaders Kumar Gunaratnam, Senadheera Gunathilaka, Pubudu Jayagoda, Duminda Nagamuwa, Nuwan Bopage, Lahiru Weerasekera and Socialist People’s Forum’s Sumanasiri Liyanage, Chamil Jayanetti and other left activists and many trade union leaders paid their last respects to comrade Niel.
The political career of Comrade Neil Wijethilaka was celebrated by Udawela Nanda Thero, Teripaha Samitha Thero of Kalutara People’s Council, Siritunga Jayasuriya, Duminda Nagamuwa, Dharmasiri Lankapeli and Dhanasiri Rathuvadu who gave special eulogies and celebrated the last respect with the participation of large number of colleagues.
16 December 2023
Source: JANA.LK.
