Ceylon Federation of Labour

The Ceylon Federation of Labour (CFL) is an organisation bringing together trade unions in the private, semi-government and co-operative sectors of Sri Lanka.

History

The Ceylon Federation of Labour was registered as a federation of unions by the Workers & Peasants Union, which was led by the Radical Party under the influence of the ideas of M.N. Roy of India. When the Lanka Sama Samaja Party re-commenced its trade union activity in the post-war period, it did so in co-operation with the Workers & Peasants Union and gradually took over leadership of the CFL by 1946.

The CFL was involved in the general strike of 1946 and its successor of 1947. It was the prime mover in the hartal of 1953.

Affiliated unions

• All Ceylon Commercial and Industrial Workers' Union (ACCIWU)
• All Ceylon Oil Workers’ Union (ACOWU)
• All Ceylon United Motor Workers' Union (ACUMWU)
• Lanka Estate Workers' Union (LEWU)
• Lanka Hotel Employees Union (LHEU)
• United Corporations and Mercantile Union (UCMU)
• United Port Workers Union (UPWU)

Noted leaders

• Dr N.M. Perera
• Dr Colvin R de Silva
• D.G. William ('Galle Face' William)
• W.P. Perera ('Elephant' Perera)
• Batty Weerakoon
• S. Siriwardena

References

• Batty Weerakoon, The Ceylon Federation of Labour & the Trade Union Movement in Sri Lanka (1932-1975), (abridged version) accessed on 4 November 2005.
• Leslie Goonewardena, Short History of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party accessed 4 November 2005.
• Colvin R. de Silva, Hartal! accessed 4 November 2005.
• James Jupp, Sri Lanka — Third World Democracy, Frank Cass, London, 1978.

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