The Hairdressers Federation Association Northern Province has issued a statement today challenging comments made in Parliament by Bimal Rathnayake on Wednesday 18 November, after he alleged that reports of ongoing military-run hair salons in the Northern Province were false and politically motivated.
The Association said the remarks had caused distress for its members and their families, emphasising it had written to and met with officials regarding military-run salons and the impact on their businesses.
It went on to list at least 12 different hair salons run by the Sri Lankan army in every province in the North.
Bimal Rathnayake, the Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, said in Parliament that there was just one salon operating in the Northern Province.
In its statement addressed to the Sri Lankan president, ministers, MPs, the Northern Province Governor, and local chairpersons, the Association said that it had repeatedly informed officials that security forces continue to operate salons inside or near Special Task Force camps, Civil Security Departments camps, police stations, and prisons. It highlighted that these salons have a detrimental impact on the livelihood of its members and allege violation of their union regulations. The Association added they had previously met officials in person to request the closure of these salons.
Despite some closures in Jaffna and Kilinochchi district, the Association says that many salons continue to operate across the Northern Province. It rejected allegations made in Parliament by Rathnayake that MPs Sivagnanam Shritharan and Selvam Adaikalanathan had raised the issue for political purposes and that the Association provided false information.
Tamil organisations have long raised concerns about the security forces operating businesses in the North-East and on lands seized from Tamils. The operation of businesses, such as farms, hotels and salons, have drawn criticism for their impact on local economies and their contribution to militarisation and encroachment into civilian life.
The Association expressed belief that problems could be resolved if officials acknowledge accurate data. It provided the details of salons currently operated by various security units in five districts in the Northern Province. This included several salons in four locations across Mullaitivu, four in Vavuniya, two in Mannar, one in Jaffna, and one in Kilinochchi. It urged officials to close these salons.
